KLEINER ELEFANT Mixed Media Sculpture

This mixed media sculpture captures the quiet strength of an elephant through minimalist form and meditative stillness

Artwork Description

 about this mixed media sculpture

“Kleiner Elefant” (1996) by Cordula Dobes is a mixed media sculpture that portrays an abstracted elephant in a poised, contemplative stance. The composition captures a moment of stillness, suggesting themes of strength, solitude, and introspection. Rather than focusing on detailed realism, Dobes abstracts the animal form to its essential gestures and posture.

The figure is rendered in a fluid movement, its form blending into a continuous silhouette. This simplification heightens the emotional resonance while allowing space for universal interpretation. Dobes uses terracotta with oxidized iron pigment, a unique choice that gives the piece both warmth and presence. The material’s natural texture contrasts with the quiet grace of the pose.

The sculpture displays a thoughtful manipulation of volume, surface, and proportion. Smooth, continuous contours guide the viewer's eye around the form in a circular rhythm. Concave and convex shapes alternate and complement each other, forming a visual balance that evokes stillness and harmony.

The surface is matte and earthy, enhancing its tactile quality. Light grazes the softly curved surfaces, bringing the figure to life. The form is closed and compact, yet open in emotional expression. There is no break in the movement, each element supports the other.

Dobes’ technique aligns with sculptural modernism. She reduces the figure to a concentrated, essential shape. Details are intentionally left out. The impact comes from overall composition, not ornamentation. This approach gives even a small-scale work a sense of monumentality and gravity.

This piece is modest in scale but grand in presence. It exemplifies Dobes’ philosophy that monumentality is a matter of clarity and rhythm, not size. The simplified shape recalls the works of early modernists like Henry Moore or Hans Arp, yet carries her own sculptural voice. 

“Kleiner Elefant” speaks to the quiet strength and emotional depth of the natural world, using form, space, and gesture as its language.

about the artist

Cordula Dobes is a Munich-based sculptor who has been working as a freelance artist since the 1990s. Her work has been successfully presented in numerous exhibitions across Germany and beyond. Dobes employs sculptural techniques to smooth out the spatial and cubic elements of her animal and human figures, utilizing volume, cube, space, area, and weight to achieve this effect.

Her creations often feature animals and human figures, reflecting her passion for these subjects and their expressive potential. Dobes' sculptures are characterized by an interplay of concave and convex forms, resulting in a harmonious balance that captures the essence of her subjects.

Her preferred medium is bronze, which she skillfully manipulates to create both small and large-scale works with tactile precision. One of her notable sculptures, "Bird of the Night," exemplifies her ability to abstract natural forms into essential, minimalist shapes.

Dobes' work has been featured in various galleries and art fairs. She embodies the precision and refinement of German craftsmanship through thoughtful execution and form. Her sculptural mastery focuses on form, balance, and spatial rhythm, inviting deeper reflection. She continues contributing to contemporary art with a unique sculptural language rooted in modernist tradition and technical discipline.

View her Dubai collection of available artworks here

Care

• Dust regularly with a soft cloth; avoid water or harsh cleaners.
• Apply metal-safe wax once or twice a year for protection.
• Keep sculpture away from direct sunlight and moisture.
• Use gloves when handling; consult experts for deep cleaning.

copyright

This mixed media sculpture is one of a kind original therefore, all copyrights and reproduction rights are reserved by the artist.