Tag: Benini

A Scholar and a Force in Motion…

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“I am 88, and yes I am an old man, yet I am now on a wave of growing productivity and ideas. I want the world to know that I am always evolving as an artist and at this moment in time, I am finding a growing momentum in my work. You haven’t seen anything yet. I am a force in motion…” Jóhann Eyfells

 

“I love the quote of Jóhann and I can attest IT IS TRUE!! Eyfells is an amazing sculptor ~ he is the quintessential sculptor ~ he works and creates and drives himself harder and faster and with such great optimism and such great accomplishments ~ and always outpaces the advances of age and any discomforts.
Who am I to say this? I have known, respected and admired this man for about 30 years. I met him in Florida where he taught sculpture and theory for many years at the university level. It was my honor to write about his work, and yet words fail to do justice to it.
He has shown at the Corcoran and the Venice Biennale. He moved to Texas about 15 miles from our Sculpture Ranch so I continually witness his efforts and achievements. He is an American treasure! He was born in Iceland and trained as an architect, was a professional boxer (and retains his pugnaciousness to this day!), is a Goethe scholar and will tangle and stretch with you any topic you choose, especially on the artistic and philosophical front!
His life, in the hands of Yates will be the kind of world-class video we need more of. The artistic efforts are immense, sculptors are so often under-appreciated because their work is not seen or understood or whatever….let’s hope this project is consummated soon so we can all pay homage to a true master.” Lorraine Benini

1999 – World Artist at the Millenium – United Nations Exhibit in New York

Johann Eyfells is a sculptor, architect, and art professor. He was born in 1923 in Reykjavik, Iceland. In 1949, he married Kristin Halldorsdottir, a former Icelandic model and dress designer, who made her own career as an artist alongside of his. He has studied at several universities, earning a bachelor’s degree in architecture in 1953 and a master’s degree in fine art in 1964.

Eyfells began producing abstract sculptures in the 60’s based on experiments in chemistry and physics, utilizing the various transformational properties of metals, especially aluminum, iron and copper. Minimal in nature, his art is non-objective and often conceptual in approach. His use of materials varies between metal, wood, paper, cloth, and latex rubber.

Eyfells’ creative drive is to document the interaction between time, space and gravity. His work is based on the concepts of receptualism, a theory he developed to explain the essence of his art.

Eyfells is credited with inventing the word ‘Receptualism’ when discussing his work. Eyfells’ work deals with the process of materials. Minimal in nature, his art is non-objective and often conceptual in approach. His materials vary between metal, wood, paper, plastic and cloth. Eyfells’ objective is to document the interaction between time, space and gravity. Many of his sculptures appear to be lava or geological formations. In Central Florida he is known as the Grandfather of sculpture.

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“Johann Eyfells takes sculpture back to its prehistoric nature, obviating the civilized idea of it as the engineering of space.”
— Donald Kuspit, Art Critic