Cloned Hare with Backpack by William Sweetlove, created in 2009, is a whimsical resin sculpture that features a large, red hare outfitted with a backpack. This monochromatic piece, standing at 140 cm tall, embodies Sweetlove’s distinctive approach to environmental art and commentary on consumer culture. The hare’s serene expression and playful addition of the backpack create an unusual and humorous juxtaposition, symbolizing themes of adaptation and survival in a world shaped by human influence. Sweetlove’s work often uses animal forms paired with unexpected accessories to provoke thought on environmental responsibility and the unnatural burdens placed on nature. Available in editions of 33 and also produced in green, chrome, and blue, this sculpture reflects Sweetlove’s unique blend of satire and social commentary.
William Sweetlove (Belgium, 1949) is a contemporary sculptor and member of the Cracking Art Group. His vibrant, often oversized animal sculptures, crafted from recycled materials, address themes of environmental sustainability and climate change. Sweetlove's works have been exhibited internationally, emphasizing the impact of human activity on nature.
mixed mediaResin can be derived from both natural sources, such as pine sap, and synthetic processes. Natural resin comes from tree sap, while synthetic resin is a type of dense, easily molded plastic. Resin is commonly used in sculpture, and it can also enhance the vibrancy of paint colors.
Cloned Hare with Backpack by William Sweetlove, created in 2009, is a whimsical resin sculpture that features a large, red hare outfitted with a backpack. This monochromatic piece, standing at 140 cm tall, embodies Sweetlove’s distinctive approach to environmental art and commentary on consumer culture. The hare’s serene expression and playful addition of the backpack create an unusual and humorous juxtaposition, symbolizing themes of adaptation and survival in a world shaped by human influence. Sweetlove’s work often uses animal forms paired with unexpected accessories to provoke thought on environmental responsibility and the unnatural burdens placed on nature. Available in editions of 33 and also produced in green, chrome, and blue, this sculpture reflects Sweetlove’s unique blend of satire and social commentary.
William Sweetlove (Belgium, 1949) is a contemporary sculptor and member of the Cracking Art Group. His vibrant, often oversized animal sculptures, crafted from recycled materials, address themes of environmental sustainability and climate change. Sweetlove's works have been exhibited internationally, emphasizing the impact of human activity on nature.
Art is not a message, art is art, but if you have a message, why not?
- William Sweetlove
William Sweetlove (b. 1949 Belgium) is a Belgian contemporary artist known for his thought-provoking and humorous sculptures that often address themes of consumerism, environmental issues, and the human impact on nature. Sweetlove’s work is characterized by his use of vibrant colors, enlarged everyday objects, and a playful, surreal aesthetic. He is best known for his series of brightly colored animal sculptures, particularly dogs, penguins, and turtles, often depicted with water bottles, boots, or other accessories attached to them. These whimsical yet poignant sculptures are part of his collaboration with the Cracking Art Group, a collective that uses recycled plastic to create artworks with an ecological message. Sweetlove’s art serves as a commentary on the excesses of modern society and the urgent need for sustainability, while also engaging viewers with its accessible and humorous approach. His work has been exhibited internationally, and he is recognized as an important figure in contemporary ecological art, blending environmental activism with pop art sensibilities. (Artist website)
Kitsch is a term used to describe cheap, commercial, sentimental, or vulgar art and objects commonly associated with popular culture. The word is borrowed from German, where it originally means trash. Since the 1920s, kitsch has been used to denote the opposite of high art, often implying that the work lacks sophistication or artistic merit.