Paul Rousso Crushed Pearl^ For Sale

About this work

Paul Rousso has established himself as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary sculpture, known for his monumental reimaginings of flat, disposable objects rendered in three-dimensional form. Working from his Charlotte studio, Rousso transforms familiar cultural artifacts—currency, candy wrappers, postage stamps, and vintage advertisements—into large-scale sculptural works that interrogate our relationship with consumer imagery and the ephemeral nature of printed media. His work occupies a compelling position between Pop Art tradition and technical innovation, drawing collectors who recognize his unique contribution to the dialogue between two and three dimensions. Crushed Pearl ^ exemplifies Rousso's mature practice, in which the artist hand-sculpts thermoplastic polyester into complex, crumpled forms that mimic the casual destruction of discarded paper. The piece measures an imposing sixty-four by forty-four inches with an eight-inch depth, creating substantial presence while maintaining the illusion of weightlessness inherent to its source material. Rousso's application of acrylic paint across the undulating surface creates shifting tonal relationships as light moves across the work, activating the sculpture throughout the day. The "crushed" aesthetic that has become central to his practice speaks to themes of obsolescence and preservation—the artist literally monumentalizes that which society treats as disposable. Created in 2024, this work represents Rousso at the height of his technical command, demonstrating the refined sculptural vocabulary he has developed over more than a decade of intensive material experimentation. His pieces reside in significant private collections internationally and continue to demonstrate consistent market interest. For acquisition inquiries regarding this work, please contact Guy Hepner.