Finds in Nature

The works in this section mirror nature’s asymmetry. The elements appear as if they’ve fallen together, like leaves forming patterns as they tumble from the trees. Instead of imposing a mechanical human structure on them, Sonfist allows them to flow together, positioning elements as a river deposits rocks, silt and branches.

In other works, Sonfist creates a dialogue to discuss the integrity of nature. Sonfist uses found branches from forest fires to save seeds for future generations in the form of remnants of trees which contain the seeds of the endangered forest within them. The time capsules are on display in the Boca Raton art museum. The Burning forest is on permanent display in the Smart museum in Chicago, Illinois.

“Let us permit nature to have her way. She understands her business better than we do.”
Michel de Montaigne

Element Selection of Koln
relics of natural fragments displayed exactly as they were found within the Koln forest
1974
6 x 12 ft.
Koln, Germany

Element Selection of LA
Los Angeles
Institute of Contemporary Art

Element Selection
mixed media
1971
6 x 12 ft.
Terrytown, New York

Element Selection
mixed media
1969
6 x 20 ft.
Adirondack Mountains, New York