Sculptural Work by Eric The Sage

Astro Projection

(10 x 23x 23in) (Gumball Machine, Desk Lamp, Tape Reel, Wire, Worn Computer Parts,
Popcorn)

"Like many of the other sculptures I begin creating them first looking at them as products. Meaning that they have to have some functionality to them but they are less practical in their design. The object is supposed to be representative of a projector. Only projecting the light from within. It also plays on a more spiritual concept of astral-projection. Considering the fact that the body is simply a shell and a vehicle some people have the ability to project their astral self into the astral plane either purposely or while asleep. When one stands in front of the wall and the projector is on them you see a shadow which could be interpreted as the higher self which is always in constantly with the body."

Astro Projection

(10 x 23x 23in) (Gumball Machine, Desk Lamp, Tape Reel, Wire, Worn Computer Parts,
Popcorn)

"Like many of the other sculptures I begin creating them first looking at them as products. Meaning that they have to have some functionality to them but they are less practical in their design. The object is supposed to be representative of a projector. Only projecting the light from within. It also plays on a more spiritual concept of astral-projection. Considering the fact that the body is simply a shell and a vehicle some people have the ability to project their astral self into the astral plane either purposely or while asleep. When one stands in front of the wall and the projector is on them you see a shadow which could be interpreted as the higher self which is always in constantly with the body."

Remote Cotton Hare

(7 x 17 x 12in) (Plastic, Cotton, Metal, Wood, Worn PC Parts, Found Objects)

"The Rabbit is composed over several found objects organized in a way that looks as if it were a toy out of a mad house. The cotton found inside the rabbit represents the many slaves that were forced to work on cotton plantations. Slaves were forced to work round the clock all day and in a timely manner or else they were beaten. The clock on the back of the rabbit is
constantly going indicating that the work that the slaves did never stopped. Also the remote
control is significant to the master who has the control and dictates how slaves were able to operate."

Remote Cotton Hare

(7 x 17 x 12in) (Plastic, Cotton, Metal, Wood, Worn PC Parts, Found Objects)

"The Rabbit is composed over several found objects organized in a way that looks as if it were a toy out of a mad house. The cotton found inside the rabbit represents the many slaves that were forced to work on cotton plantations. Slaves were forced to work round the clock all day and in a timely manner or else they were beaten. The clock on the back of the rabbit is constantly going indicating that the work that the slaves did never stopped. Also the remote control is significant to the master who has the control and dictates how slaves were able to operate."

Remote Cotton Hare

(7 x 17 x 12in) (Plastic, Cotton, Metal, Wood, Worn PC Parts, Found Objects)

"The Rabbit is composed over several found objects organized in a way that looks as if it were a toy out of a mad house. The cotton found inside the rabbit represents the many slaves that were forced to work on cotton plantations. Slaves were forced to work round the clock all day and in a timely manner or else they were beaten. The clock on the back of the rabbit is constantly going indicating that the work that the slaves did never stopped. Also the remote control is significant to the master who has the control and dictates how slaves were able to operate."

Remote Cotton Hare

(7 x 17 x 12in) (Plastic, Cotton, Metal, Wood, Worn PC Parts, Found Objects)

"The Rabbit is composed over several found objects organized in a way that looks as if it were a toy out of a mad house. The cotton found inside the rabbit represents the many slaves that were forced to work on cotton plantations. Slaves were forced to work round the clock all day and in a timely manner or else they were beaten. The clock on the back of the rabbit is constantly going indicating that the work that the slaves did never stopped. Also the remote control is significant to the master who has the control and dictates how slaves were able to operate."

Glider

(36 x 15 x 15.5in) (Found Objects, Shoes, Wood, Acrylic Paint, Sharpie, Fans, Screws,)

"The glider is a product of a dystopian future society. The fans at the bottom look like they will propel the glider upward but it really doesn’t. There is a balance in the piece between having the object actually do something and making the sculpture practical. The hoverboard is a concept for a glider that could take place in a fallen futuristic society."

Glider

(36 x 15 x 15.5in) (Found Objects, Shoes, Wood, Acrylic Paint, Sharpie, Fans, Screws,)

"The glider is a product of a dystopian future society. The fans at the bottom look like they will propel the glider upward but it really doesn’t. There is a balance in the piece between having the object actually do something and making the sculpture practical. The hoverboard is a concept for a glider that could take place in a fallen futuristic society."

Glider

(36 x 15 x 15.5in) (Found Objects, Shoes, Wood, Acrylic Paint, Sharpie, Fans, Screws,)

"The glider is a product of a dystopian future society. The fans at the bottom look like they will propel the glider upward but it really doesn’t. There is a balance in the piece between having the object actually do something and making the sculpture practical. The hoverboard is a concept for a glider that could take place in a fallen futuristic society."

Sparky

(10 x 30 x 22in) (Wire, Found Objects, Electrical Tape, Acrylic Paint, Metal)

"Sparky is a futuristic dog that has been assembled to simply be a recorder. The idea is that this dog is constantly live streaming, recording and taking photos of his surroundings. In this modern age the amount of surveillance is insurmountable and Sparky really embodies this digital age; a time where there is no actual privacy, even in the home because Sparky is technically a domesticated animal. The dog also speaks and can make other sounds too depending on how you want to program it."

Sparky

(10 x 30 x 22in) (Wire, Found Objects, Electrical Tape, Acrylic Paint, Metal)

"Sparky is a futuristic dog that has been assembled to simply be a recorder. The idea is that this dog is constantly live streaming, recording and taking photos of his surroundings. In this modern age the amount of surveillance is insurmountable and Sparky really embodies this digital age; a time where there is no actual privacy, even in the home because Sparky is technically a domesticated animal. The dog also speaks and can make other sounds too depending on how you want to program it."

Sparky

(10 x 30 x 22in) (Wire, Found Objects, Electrical Tape, Acrylic Paint, Metal)

"Sparky is a futuristic dog that has been assembled to simply be a recorder. The idea is that this dog is constantly live streaming, recording and taking photos of his surroundings. In this modern age the amount of surveillance is insurmountable and Sparky really embodies this digital age; a time where there is no actual privacy, even in the home because Sparky is technically a domesticated animal. The dog also speaks and can make other sounds too depending on how you want to program it."

Warrior of the Cosmos

(20 x 27 x 21in) (Metal, Wood, Plaster, Clay, Found Objects, Spray Paint, Acrylic Paint,
Wire, Electrical Tape)

This is a found object sculpture I choose to make after going through thrift stores. I found a baseball helmet and decided to make it appear as it were some dystopian war helmet that had been pieced together to communicate with the ethers and in battle. The character you see is a monument of a spiritual warrior. The face was modeled after ancient african masks from the Dogon tribe.

Warrior of the Cosmos

(20 x 27 x 21in) (Metal, Wood, Plaster, Clay, Found Objects, Spray Paint, Acrylic Paint,
Wire, Electrical Tape)

This is a found object sculpture I choose to make after going through thrift stores. I found a baseball helmet and decided to make it appear as it were some dystopian war helmet that had been pieced together to communicate with the ethers and in battle. The character you see is a monument of a spiritual warrior. The face was modeled after ancient african masks from the Dogon tribe.

Warrior of the Cosmos

(20 x 27 x 21in) (Metal, Wood, Plaster, Clay, Found Objects, Spray Paint, Acrylic Paint,
Wire, Electrical Tape)

This is a found object sculpture I choose to make after going through thrift stores. I found a baseball helmet and decided to make it appear as it were some dystopian war helmet that had been pieced together to communicate with the ethers and in battle. The character you see is a monument of a spiritual warrior. The face was modeled after ancient african masks from the Dogon tribe.

Eric The Sage is a sculptor and multi-genre artist originally from the westside of Chicago, now living in Maywood, IL. He was at the Pancakes and Booze art show. He's performed as a rapper at Lincoln Fest in Galesburg, Maywood Fest, and was featured on Culture Media's In Da Basement Season 2 showcase. He has also participated in YesFest in Elmhurst. His art has been published in issues of Catch Magazine and Made Magazine. He is currently working on publishing his own art book.

Eric summarizes his approach to his sculptural work in the following terms: 

"The body of work that I have made during open studio comes from my interest in the existing genre of Afro-Futurism, which seeks to take elements of the past, compare them and analyze them with our situation in the present and seeks to reimagine the future of black within the fabric of time. I’ve been trying to rediscover my past as a black person living in America; Afro-futurism combines science-fiction and African/African-American narrative.

"In my work I have to create a narrative because that touches on the ideas of Africa’s past and combines them in a way that makes sense to me. In reality, Black people in America have been the real victims of an alien abduction and continue to be plagued by oppressors. The art I create almost has to be sort of escapist because It’s difficult to come to grips with the realities of the past and how they affect us now."