Kris Ruhs
Mixed media sculptor
Milan, Italy
Recommended by Carla Sozzani
Exploring materials
- Kris adapts any material and technique to his imaginative process
- He loves working with recycled or recovered materials
- He brings out the expressive potential of structure, materials and colour
A multifaceted artist and designer, Kris Ruhs began his exploration into art and craftsmanship in New York City in the 1970s, while attending the School of Visual Arts. “I'd been involved in art ever since I was young because my mother painted scenery for theatre and dance. The School of Visual Arts was the big turning point in my life. I used to spend almost all my days in school; I took everything from painting and sculpture to photography, filmmaking... Basically that’s where I started experimenting with art.” He began his first series of sculptures inspired by the wood discarded in the streets next to his studio in lower Broadway. In the 1990s he settled in Milan, where he continues to experiment with clay, wood, metal, silver, paper, textiles and light.
INTERVIEW
At the end of the 1970s. Immersed in the New York art scene of that time, I was particularly attracted by the atmosphere of expressive freedom. At the academy I began to formulate my vision where all surfaces are 'canvas' and all materials 'paint'.
I use every technique that allows me to get to the final result. I specialise in working with metal, plaster and wood. I also work with clay and create special colours. I especially love using recycled materials.
I’ve been using recovered materials all my life. I very rarely start from a clean piece of paper. The material itself dictates what happens to it; you see more in a piece that’s been used rather than in something that is sparkling new.
My work is the mystery of what will happen to something every day. You have to be pretty dedicated, and things happen only if you do something. To go through the process, to get where you really want to go, you have to practise it and do it.
