Encounter

In his work *Encounter*, Michael Blochberger creates a compelling interplay between materials and gender roles. The sculpture juxtaposes the cool, archaic presence of light-coloured soapstone with the warm, vibrant aura of dark teak. The heavy stone, left partly rough-hewn, corresponds to the symbolism of masculine rigidity, whilst the delicately crafted female figure in wood forms a gentle counterpoint. In a tender gesture, she nestles against the massive stone block, the flowing lines of her arm seemingly ‘liberating’ the male face from the rough material. The strong contrast between light and dark (chiaroscuro) between the grey-green stone and the silky, glossy wood emphasises the theme of duality. Encounter is a plea for the acceptance of the unfamiliar and for shared growth through human diversity.