Melanie Chikofsky
Artist Statement
My association with paper goes back to the early eighties, however this is the first time I have had the opportunity to work sculpturally with pulp, previously my sculptural endeavours were with Japanese paper. What I discovered during this process, was that I learned to love the shrinkage that occurred. Initially, I was disconcerted by the distortions that happened when I removed my moulds from the sand while the pieces were still a little damp, but soon came to realize that these distortions were for me more interesting, and actually suited the theme I was pursuing.
I prefer the dark stiffer flax and the abaca for my purposes, and hope to continue working with them moving forward.
Melanie Chikofsky, Fragments 1, Fragments 2, Fragments 3, abaca, flax, found object, winterstone, plexi rods, ink and thread, variable sizes, limited series of 3 unique pieces
Bio
Melanie Chikofsky continues to surprise in a long and varied career as an artist and educator. Her young years were full of avidly sought out classes, first in ceramics, then in a specialized art program at the secondary school level, followed by studies at Sheridan College School of Design, all contributing to a wide-ranging passion for art that also informed her zeal for teaching.
After graduation, Chikofsky found herself designing high fashion hats that were seen in the pages of Harper’s Bazaar, runways of Tokyo, the Inner Circle at Ascot, as well as in such fashion shows as Linda Lundstrom and Pat McDonagh. She also produced jewellery and other accessories for the body and the home, all while keeping her hand in the fine arts.
In her mid thirties Melanie had a skiing accident that had her in and out of hospitals. During this difficult decade, she taught art to elementary school students in the Toronto inner city, where a lack of funding sparked an inventive and resourceful approach to both her teaching and her art.
The vicissitudes of life have continued to shape Chikofsky as an artist. Since 2000, she has been the Director and Lead Instructor at the Al Green Sculpture Studio School. Working with adults has propelled the acquisition of new technical skills that have had a profound impact on her current art practice.
Chikofsky has been exhibiting her art since 1983. In 2008, she won the “Best in Show Award” for “Threadbare” at a juried Ontario Society of Artists exhibition.
