Drawing from his experience within the construction industry, artist Jay Hardman creates small-scale sculptures and installations that examine contemporary building practices and their effect on communities. Recognized primarily for his cake sculptures, which focus on landscape, this new body of work directs attention towards the construction site. Produced with common building materials and utilizing a miniature-hobbyist’s aesthetic, these works exhibit both an architectural formalism and quaint domesticity that merges sculpture and model making.

Hardman on his work and process:

“I began building with cake in order to depict the chaotic landscape of urban renewal and sprawl that I was seeing take place in American cities, primarily Philadelphia. The methodical dividing and carving up of neighborhoods; entire blocks at a time or house by house, mirrored the way a cake would be consumed. The missing sections, no matter how irregular, provide proof of meticulous and systematic destruction.

The cakes have an inherent ability to captivate and gratify an audience both visually and conceptually. They are profoundly linked to our senses of desire and fantasy, so as a material it is ideal for the surreal landscapes I create. During their design, I play with the similarities between decorative frosting and architectural ornamentation. Crumbs quickly become debris and the distinctions between structure, foundation and earth are muddled by conflicting senses of reclamation and resurrection. This conflict brings to mind issues of homelessness and being without place but also alludes to the need to create a sanctuary out of these imperfect situations.” Click here for more info.

Space 1026: 1026 Arch Street 2nd Floor  Philadelphia, PA. 19107