Earlier this year New Zealand glass artist and sculptor Ben Young showed several of his newer pieces exclusively created for IMMERSED, an exhibition held at Singapore’s Red Sea Gallery. The concrete and glass sculptures at first appear abstract, but upon closer examination, small cast bronze figurines are revealed as the characters in these sculptural aquatic narratives.

Ben Young IMMERSED

The ocean, its many secrets and vast power, has long been an inspiration for artists and writers. A surfer and boat builder by profession, water is an instrumental part of the self-taught glass artist’s world. Ben’s pieces in IMMERSED explore the historical reliance and modern-day fascination with the bounties of the ocean.

Ben manages to master the materials, turning concrete into icebergs and desert islands; glass into waves and waterfalls.

The sculptures depict the various types of relationships between humans and water. Whether near, on or in the water, the tiny cast bronze pieces not only create scale but stories.

The small subjects can be seen crossing the ocean, sailing the sea or merely looking at their reflection.

“At one point in time, we were one with the ocean, and with human and technological advances came our gradual independence from the ocean. But while we may never be able to fully return, we never really left the water behind. For millennia we have stayed by its side, as much out of biological necessity as for emotional fulfillment. We have skirted the far reaches of its edges, living on its bounty, and at times, tragically falling in the face of its power.” – Ben Young

See more images from Ben Young IMMERSED here.

Prints of several of Ben’s sculptures are available for purchase here.

Gallery representation:
Black Door Gallery (Auckland, NZ)
Red Sea Gallery (Singapore)
New Zealand Glassworks (Whanganui, NZ)

Ben Young

Ben Young on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/benyoung_sculpture/