Northumberland News, Aug 21, 2014
COLBORNE — Space/Shape, Claus Heinecke’s latest show in Colborne, expresses his idea of abstraction where shapes define the space and vice versa.
A designer for several major design agencies and at his own design studio, Mr. Heinecke insists that his design practice was visual problem-solving then and also now in the sculptural work that has occupied him for the past 10 years.
Those who have visited Colborne will be familiar with his landmark sculpture ‘Empathy’ that sits outside the Colborne Art Gallery.
Mr. Heinecke’s most recent works of sculpture with drawings will be featured in the latest show opening at the gallery Aug. 23.
While he now designs for purely esthetic reasons without the need for function, the same principals and tools of harmony, balance, rhythm and repetition apply.
In addition to his fascinating ideas about abstraction, Mr. Heinecke’s works do not provide a narrative.
He points out that individuals so depend on their visual experience that sometimes they are confused if they don’t recognize the subject.
“For me it’s really about the rhythm of the form and the way lines move across that form,” he said, adding that the name of the sculpture can often be helpful in understanding more about the piece. “For instance, with the outdoor sculpture ‘Empathy’, the title helps us understand it is about two forms relating.”
Included in the show are two prototype plaster sculptures accompanied by drawings that suggest a much larger scale in case a client is interested in commissioning these works.
Space/Shape opens at the Colborne Art Gallery, 51 King St. E., in Colborne, on Aug. 23 with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m., and continues until Sept. 28.