ARTICLES

The Gigantic Creatures of Primitive Matter

Exploring the intrinsic relationship between humans and nature.

By: THURSD. | 11-10-2021 | 2 min read
Floral Events Floral Designs
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Exhibition by Wona Bae and Charlie Lawler

Primitive Matter explores the intrinsic relationship between humans and nature and this primal connection that has endured over time. The exhibition is part of an ongoing series by the artists Wona Bae and Charlie Lawler that isolates nature from its context highlighting the interaction between natural systems and the built environment.

 

Primitive Matter Wattle Hover Wreath
Wattle Hover Wreath, Melbourne, Australia

 

Primitive Matter Blossom Hover Wreath
Blossom Hover Wreath, Tokyo, Japan

 

Observation of Natural Cycles

Guided by the observation of natural cycles, Bae and Lawler push the limits of a material giving it new depth and meaning. The organic textures are overtly present within this body of work referencing topographic lines and the transformation of environments as they have adapted and evolved. Similarly, they allude to abstract landscapes that feel both familiar yet foreign.

 

The Gigantic Creatures of Primitive Matter Phoenix
Phoenix, Melbourne, Australia
 

Experiential and Concept-driven

Bae and Lawler specialize in experiential and concept-driven art installations. They have collaborated since meeting in Germany in 2004, establishing Loose Leaf Studio in Melbourne, Australia in 2013. The artists’ work explores themes of life and death, impermanence, and the human-nature relationship.

 

The Gigantic Creatures of Primitive Matter Monstera Chandeliers
Monstera Chandeliers, Sydney, Australia
 

Loose Leaf is a design studio founded by Wona Bae and Charlie Lawler, specializing in experiential and concept-driven installations using natural materials. Their work explores themes of life and death, impermanence, material temporality, and the restorative power of nature.

 

Primitive Matter Free Fall on Thursd
Free Fall, Córdoba, Spain
 
Primitive Matter Daisies on Thursd
10,000 Daisies in Tramshed, Sydney, Australia
 

Observe, Study, and Explore

The studio’s practice is driven by the desire to observe, study, and explore natural materials, celebrating their beauty in all phases and forms and creating lasting human connections to nature. Loose Leaf’s design approach is a line of botanical inquiry that draws conceptually from the structure, patterns, and systems in the natural world.

 

The Gigantic Creatures of Primitive Matter
 
The Gigantic Creatures of Primitive Matter

 

Loose Leaf

Loose Leaf’s commissions include a number of notable arts, cultural and business brands, and organizations such as Heide Museum of Modern Art, Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Arts Centre Melbourne, Rolex, COS, Google, Emirates, DENFAIR, Australian Open, and Tourism Victoria. Their work has appeared on ABC's Gardening Australia, in The Age Spectrum, T Magazine - New York Times, Cereal, Monocle, Condé Nast Traveler, Icon Design (Italy), ELLE Décor (Spain), The Telegraph (UK), The Sunday Times (UK) and Grand Designs Australia.

 

Primitive Matter Blossom Hover Wreath on Thursd
Doors, Redwood forest, California

 

Many more wonderful photos on the Loof Leaf Instagram.

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