The capacity to utilize anything as a medium is truly an impressive quality found in multimedia artists.
Andoni Bastarrika, a talented artist hailing from the Basque Country in Spain, has discovered that sand serves as the perfect canvas for his boundless creativity.
Andoni surpasses us all with his magnificent sand creations, while the rest of us thoroughly enjoy our sense of accomplishment when building a sandcastle by the seaside.
Sand sculpture is a unique and fascinating art form that revolves around the creation of three-dimensional sculptures using nothing but sand. The skill and talent of the artist, like Bastarrika, truly shine through when you witness his incredibly lifelike animal portraits. These astonishing artworks will captivate you, as the artist expertly compacts the sand to form a solid foundation, which allows him to create intricate textures such as fur and wrinkles.
By incorporating stone powders into the sand and other necessary components, the artist enhances the authenticity of his creations. As a result, the crafted animals appear as though they are peacefully resting on the ground, with a picturesque ocean backdrop in sight.
Back in the summer of 2010, the artist took a shot at sand art while enjoying a day at the beach with his two daughters. It was during this time that he stumbled upon his innate talent: the dexterity of his hands. Bastarrika’s genuine interest lies in capturing the essence of his subjects in a way that resonates with the onlooker.
He expresses his fascination with people often mistaking his sand and water sculptures for real objects. “The sculptures I create possess life, a soul akin to that of Mother Earth. They serve as a voice for her and all the creatures deeply connected to her. In my work, I strive to highlight the wisdom, strength, and beauty that nature continuously conveys.”
For the artist, the allure of sand lies in its ability to constantly educate, regardless of how it is observed. “Sand has an incredible capacity to impart wisdom if one is open to learning. When crafting a sculpture, countless sand particles come together, embracing one another through moisture, molding their unity.”
However, once the artist takes a step back, the fate of the masterpiece lies in the hands of nature itself. Eventually, the wind will dry up the sculpture, gradually releasing each particle and eroding its individuality and authenticity.
The process of bringing his creation to life commences by gathering and layering damp sand, forming it into a shape that captures his desired expression. Once he achieves the desired outcome, he employs a sharpened stick and a feather to accentuate the expression further.
On occasion, he likes to enhance his creations with various substances like powdered coal, clay, and stones of diverse hues, along with ashes and fragmented glass, resulting in a touch of authenticity to his artwork.
The time required to create each artwork varies based on its size. For instance, it took him a total of two days to beautifully craft the elephant sculpture. In comparison, he dedicated 12 hours to complete both the bison and horse sculptures. The smaller dog sculptures, on the other hand, are usually finished within a timeframe ranging from six to eight hours.