Fabulous Aquarium Sculptures by Mariele Neudecker

In a fascinating blend of chemistry and sculpture, artist Mariele Neudecker builds three dimensional images contained within large aquariums, an ongoing series she refers to as “Tank Works.” Starting with source materials that include romantic paintings and photographs, Neudecker creates environments that attempt to interpret the 2D imagery in three dimensional space. The representational pieces are contained entirely within glass tanks filled to the brim with water that also contain fiberglass mountains, model ships, and other sculptural objects. She also adds chemicals that provide an element of atmosphere while also forming a sort of contained climate that changes gradually over the course of days, weeks, and months.

Things Can Change in a Day, 2001. Mixed media incl. water, acrylic medium, salt, fibreglass. 68 x 56 x 57cm. Photo by Alex Ramsay.

Things Can Change in a Day, 2001. Mixed media incl. water, acrylic medium, salt, fibreglass. 68 x 56 x 57cm. Photo by Alex Ramsay.

Things Can Change in a Day, 2001. Mixed media incl. water, acrylic medium, salt, fibreglass. 68 x 56 x 57cm

I Don’t Know How I Resisted the Urge to Run, 1998. Mixed media incl. water, acrylic medium, salt, fibreglass/ 75 x 90 x 61cm

Stolen Sunsets, 1996

Ship, 1998. Glass tank, water, food dye, salt, fibre-glass, model ship. 64.5cm x 70.5cm x 177cm