How This Artist’s Not Enough Brains to Survive Sculpture Will Make You Rethink Your Life: Thomas Leroy’s Weight of Thoughts sculpture

 Do you ever feel like your mind is overloaded with thoughts? Like you are constantly searching for something that is out of your reach? Like you are trapped in a cycle of overthinking that prevents you from living in the present moment?

If you said yes to any of these questions, then you might resonate with the sculptures of Thomas Leroy, a Belgian artist who explores the theme of a mind burdened with thoughts. His series of four bronze sculptures, created in 2009 for his Braindance exhibition, are a striking visual representation of how our thoughts can weigh us down and affect our well-being.

One of his most remarkable works is Not Enough Brains to Survive, a sculpture of a small body leaning to the side, dragged over by the weight of an enormous head. Liquid spills from the figure’s slightly open mouth as his head rests on the ground, unable to find the strength to support it. The sculpture is both captivating and unsettling, as it challenges us to reflect on our own mental state and how we cope with the pressures of life.

Leroy was inspired by his own struggle to come up with a concept for his exhibition. He felt like he was searching for something that was beyond his capacity, and that his head was literally too big and heavy for his body. He decided to turn this idea into a sculpture, using classical motifs from Greek and Roman art to contrast with the modern concept. He also inverted the head and torso proportions to create a sense of imbalance and instability.

The result Is a powerful piece of art that speaks to many people who feel overwhelmed by their thoughts. Leroy himself acknowledges that his sculptures have taken on new meanings by viewers over the years, as they relate them to different scenarios and interpretations. Some see them as a symbol of mindfulness, meditation, or even Attack on Titan. Others see them as a reflection of their own anxiety, stress, or depression.

Whatever your personal interpretation is, there is no doubt that Leroy’s sculptures will make you reflect on your life and how you deal with your thoughts. They will also make you appreciate the beauty and skill of his artistry, as he combines classical and contemporary elements to create stunning works of art.

In this blogpost, we will take a closer look at Thomas Leroy’s Weight of Thoughts sculpture series and how they can inspire us to live more mindfully and authentically. We will also share some tips on how to reduce mental clutter and find more peace and joy in our lives.

Thomas Leroy’s Weight of Thoughts sculpture series

Thomas Leroy is a multimedia artist who was born in 1981 in Belgium. He studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Ghent and has exhibited his works internationally. He is known for his provocative sculptures and paintings that distort, mutate, or complicate classical motifs.

His Weight of Thoughts sculpture series consists of four bronze sculptures that he created in 2009 for his Braindance exhibition at Rodolphe Janssen Gallery in Brussels. The sculptures are:

Not Enough Brains to Survive: A small body leaning to the side, dragged over by the weight of an enormous head. Liquid spills from the figure’s slightly open mouth as his head rests on the ground.

Over and Over: A small body standing upright with an oversized head that has two faces facing opposite directions. The figure seems to be stuck in a loop of indecision or confusion.

Why Worry: A small body sitting on a pedestal with an oversized head that has three faces facing different directions. The figure seems to be overwhelmed by different emotions or thoughts.

The Weight of Thought: A small body lying on its back with an oversized head that has four faces facing different directions. The figure seems to be crushed by the burden of thinking too much.

The sculptures are made of bronze, a material that Leroy chose for its durability and historical significance. Bronze has been used for centuries to create sculptures that celebrate heroes, gods, or ideals. Leroy subverts this tradition by creating sculptures that question human nature, identity, or morality.

The sculptures also draw from Leroy’s love of classical Greek and Roman sculpture, which he admires for its beauty and harmony. He uses classical motifs such as torsos, drapery, or pedestals to contrast with his modern concept of distorted heads. He also plays with proportions and perspectives to create

He also plays with proportions and perspectives to create a sense of imbalance and instability. The sculptures are not only visually striking, but also emotionally evocative. They invite us to empathize with the figures and their plight, as well as to examine our own thoughts and how they affect us.

How to live more mindfully and authentically

Thomas Leroy’s sculptures are a reminder of how our thoughts can be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, our thoughts allow us to reason, imagine, create, and communicate. On the other hand, our thoughts can also cause us to worry, doubt, regret, and suffer. How can we find a balance between these two aspects of our mind?

One possible way is to practice mindfulness, which is the awareness of the present moment with acceptance and curiosity. Mindfulness can help us to observe our thoughts without judging them or being attached to them. It can also help us to focus on what is happening right now, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.

Mindfulness can be practiced in many ways, such as meditation, breathing exercises, yoga, or simply paying attention to our senses and surroundings. By practicing mindfulness regularly, we can train our mind to be more calm, clear, and compassionate. We can also learn to recognize and let go of unhelpful or harmful thoughts that do not serve us.

Another possible way is to live more authentically, which is the expression of our true self with honesty and integrity. Authenticity can help us to align our thoughts, feelings, and actions with our values and goals. It can also help us to embrace our uniqueness and diversity, rather than conforming to external expectations or norms.

Authenticity can be practiced in many ways, such as self-reflection, journaling, feedback, or simply being honest with ourselves and others. By practicing authenticity regularly, we can develop more self-awareness, self-confidence, and self-respect. We can also learn to appreciate and celebrate who we are and what we have.

Conclusion

Thomas Leroy’s Weight of Thoughts sculpture series is a fascinating exploration of the human mind and its challenges. His sculptures show how our thoughts can weigh us down and affect our well-being. They also show how different people see them differently and relate them to their own experiences.

His sculptures Inspire us to reflect on our own life and how we deal with our thoughts. They also inspire us to live more mindfully and authentically, by practicing awareness, acceptance, honesty, and integrity. By doing so, we can reduce mental clutter and find more peace and joy in our lives.

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