Barbara Wildenboer, a Cape Town-based artist, delves into the realm of knowledge and symbolism through her transformative art practice. Drawing inspiration from the overwhelming nature of heavy reference books and the Paradox of Knowledge, Wildenboer dissects the complexities of language and meaning.
With a scalpel and scissors in hand, Wildenboer meticulously slices secondhand books into narrow, capillary-like slivers that radiate from the spine. These symmetrical sculptures evoke natural mirrored forms such as the brain’s hemispheres, the wingspan of a moth, and Rorschach inkblots. By deconstructing the pages, the artist alludes to the process of decoding texts and assigning new meaning to familiar symbols.
Through her work, Wildenboer aims to render dense discourses mute, transforming legible characters into enigmatic glyphs. The altered books become visual representations of the liminal space between the known and unknown, inviting viewers to contemplate the complexities of language and interpretation.
For more of Wildenboer’s thought-provoking art, visit her website and Instagram. Explore her captivating creations that challenge traditional notions of knowledge and communication.
