Vital Spaces

by Yasmin Bawa

14 November — 25 January 2025

Yasmin Bawa is a sculptor who drawing on careful observation of the topology of space, works sculpturally to explore the use of natural materials and traditional hand-building techniques. Her work is created through a slow and layered process that allows space for meditation and reflection. At the forefront of her current exploration is hemp lime, a fusion of hemp shiv, clay, and lime binder, symbolising strength, renewability, and sustainability. Her work not only reflects her artistic vision but also her commitment to eco-friendly practices and mindful consumption. Yasmin's sculptures embody curves, flowing lines, and organic shapes, celebrating the harmonious coexistence of strength and vulnerability, intricacy and simplicity. Drawing inspiration from her surroundings and diverse interests ranging from mythology to science, Yasmin's art becomes a dialogue with nature, inviting viewers to explore the multifaceted nature of identity and existence. After spending the last 10 years in Berlin, she has taken residence in the Ardèche region of southern France where she has revitalised an old silk thread factory into her studio. Surrounded by the serene landscape of rivers and mountains, she feels a profound sense of peace and connection as she follows a deep calling to live in nature.

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Vital Spaces delves into themes of transformation, duality, and self-discovery. Rooted in a year of deep introspection, this body of work reflects a personal journey of healing and growth. Over the past year, Yasmin has embarked on an introspective journey, allowing ample space for reflection, confronting fears, and untangling the knots of deep-rooted traumas. This process has involved opening up to herself and peeling away layers of protection, realising the importance of delving deeper and embracing both shadows and light.

This new body of work reflects this duality, unveiling both polished facades and raw, unfiltered emotions—a testament to the complexity and beauty inherent in our collective human experience. Her transient lifestyle, marked by frequent relocations, instills in her adaptability and resilience, shaping the fluidity of her artistic process. For Yasmin, sculpting becomes a metaphor for the ever-shifting nature of identity and the continuous journey of self-discovery.

Her recent relocation to rural France has fostered an intimate bond with nature, infusing this body of work with the essence of this newfound connection. Departing from her previous works, these sculptures embody tangible shifts in her mental and physical landscape. Vital Spaces explores the essential relationship between space and life, suggesting that space is not merely a backdrop for existence but a dynamic, living force. In her work, Yasmin examines how space can shape experiences, emotions, and perceptions, just as roots sustain and nourish life.

As we anchor ourselves in space, we simultaneously embark on paths of movement and growth, unfolding in new directions. Yasmin asks, What does it mean to be deeply connected to one's origins or foundations yet still journey outward? These works hint at that balance—between being grounded and expanding. Much like the word "vital" suggests life force and energy, Yasmin’s creations infuse their surrounding spaces with a sense of vitality and transformation.

Central to this research is the concept of roots—both as a natural phenomenon and a metaphor for identity. Yasmin has long been fascinated by roots as vital, unseen systems that anchor, nourish, and connect. In her sculptures, she translates the gnarled beauty, resilience, and life-sustaining power of roots into abstract forms. These forms evoke the hidden emotional and psychological aspects of identity. Each piece invites viewers to engage with the familiar and the mysterious, encouraging them to create their own narratives as they move around the sculptures.

In her first venture into painting, Yasmin was inspired by visions that emerged from her meditation practice. Using natural pigments, olive soap, and linseed oil—materials that connect her paintings to her sculptures—she creates an intuitive dialogue between the two mediums. Both the paintings and sculptures explore the theme of growth from the unseen, much like how plants grow from roots. These works reflect shifts in her mental and physical landscape, creating a visual language that blurs the lines between internal reflection and external expression.

Yasmin’s stone sculptures focus on the raw, intuitive expression that comes from deep connection with the subconscious mind. Her slow, unplanned hand-carving process became a meditative experience, where the stone itself seemed to guide her, filling the space around it with palpable energy.

Space, for Yasmin, is alive—it is not just something empty but a dynamic presence that shapes perceptions and experiences in everyday life. Each sculpture is more than a static object; it interacts with its surroundings, moulding them to fit its unique needs. Through this work, she explores the interconnections between the artist, the artwork, and the viewer, creating spaces where energy and life force are in constant flux. Vital Spaces beckons viewers to contemplate their own transformations, fostering a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of life and the human experience.

The creation of this series encapsulates the essence of transformative experiences—moments of clarity, stirring emotions, and newfound perspectives that emerge when fully immersed in a new environment. It is through this process of connection that hidden aspects of ourselves are unearthed, leading to profound self-reflection and growth. As a visual narrative of this journey, the series invites viewers to reflect on how their own spaces shape them and to explore the living, breathing force that infuses both art and life.