We’re most familiar with Kumi Yamashita‘s mind-boggling shadow sculptures but the mathematically-inclined artist also uses her expertise in visual calculations in her ongoing series of thread and nail portraits called Constellation. The New York-based artist’s work astounds us in its meticulously executed construction and the fine details that are captured through her creative diligence. By using three basic items–a wooden block (painted white), nails, and a single piece of thread–Yamashita manages to present every minute intricacy within her subjects’ expressions.
The pieces in this series may be reminiscent of some other thread and nail portraits, like those of Pamela Campagna, but their similarities lie solely in their raw materials and basic construction. The resulting images in Yamashita’s works are quite different. There is a very photorealistic quality to her works that is translated through the balance of thread concentration in some areas, giving a darker appearance, and less populated sections, making it appear brighter and giving a sense of shade and tone. There are also geometric patterns present within the images that add visual texture without interrupting the hyperrealistic renditions.
Kumi Yamashita: Website | Facebook
via [Machine Factory, Colossal]