Hays artist Kuksi's macabre works published in his first book
Published on -3/16/2010, 1:09 PM
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By JUNO OGLE
His work combines elements of the Old World with the macabre and sharp commentary on today's society, and has been shown around the world.
Now anyone can add the work of a Hays artist to their collection, through their bookshelves.
"Kris Kuksi -- Divination and Delusion" is the first published collection of the artist's sculptures, covering about five years' worth of work.
"I was approached to do it last year, but didn't think it was enough to make a solid line," Kuksi said.
But in that year, he said, he got a lot more work, and the book became reality.
Some of that work included a recently delivered piece for Robin Williams -- the returned wooden shipping crate sits in his studio across the street from Fort Hays State University on Park Street -- and he's working on a second sculpture for the actor.
He's also got an exhibition of his latest works, "Meticulous Engagement," next month in San Francisco. More shows are in the works for 2010.
His studio is filled with a variety of items from army men and other figures to model airplanes that wind up in sculptures that bring together Baroque design with criticism of the modern world. He finds the objects he uses everywhere from Hays to his travels in Europe.
"It's a social commentary on kind of how we are, is it all necessary," he said. "Man and all the things we've made.
"I like to think of it as bringing all our pasts together," he said.
"Divination and Delusion," $39, beinArt Publishing, is available for pre-order. Follow the link at kuksi.com/store.
