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Originally from Minneapolis and now living and working in Seattle after receiving his MFA from Pratt in Brooklyn, NY, artist John Grade creates giant sculptures that are inspired by, as well as interactive with, nature. After spending several years traveling the world and sketching nature, one can see the influence, even if only indirectly, in Grade’s work. Grade thrives on the landscapes and elements that surround him. His art, in many cases, is made with recycled materials and is always biodegradable and environmentally friendly. His sculptures are meant to safely devolve, disintegrate, or dissolve in nature and are usually transported to a specific location after being exhibited for this process to take place. For example, his Elephant Beds (first, fourth, and fifth rows of photos) are made of paper that has no binder which allows them to fall apart and disintegrate as soon as they touch, or are touched by, water. His Seeps of Winter (bottom photos) are reminiscent of a whale but are based on the bogs of Ireland. The gray paper pulp surface along with the rest of the enormous work is meant to devolve in desert, forest and alpine landscapes. Pretty incredible.

via art ltd.