Enigmatic Faces Emerge From Vibrantly Colored Wooden “Pixels”

Pixelated Face Sculptures by Gil Bruvel

Texas-based artist Gil Bruvel captures feelings of tranquility in his ongoing series of sculptures. Using colorful blocks of wood, he constructs large-scale portraits of calm expressions. As a result of this innovative technique, these faces possess a mesmerizing textural quality to them that mimics a pixelated aesthetic.

Originally from Australia and the South of France, Bruvel has been practicing vipassanā meditation for over 40 years. The Mask Series is his way of depicting different emotional states associated with this routine—by way of expression, color, form, and pattern. Aside from the distinct approach, these numerous faces share some similarities. All of these portraits feature human faces with eyes closed, for instance. Some may smile, but most possess just a gentle curve of the lips that reflects their contentment.

When viewed up close, these sculptural works look as though they could be made from metal or some other material. However, when Bruvel reveals the full 360 view, it is easier to make out the dozens of wooden blocks that are fused together to create a distinctly human face. While smaller and thinner planks are used in the center of the face, such as the nose and lips, thicker lumber is added to the perimeter of the face, almost creating a frame around the facial features.

Scroll down to see more amazing sculptures by Bruvel, and follow the artist on Instagram to keep up to date with his latest projects.

Artist Gil Bruvel creates abstract sculptures from colored pieces of wood.

Pixelated Face Sculptures by Gil BruvelPixelated Face Sculptures by Gil Bruvel

He stacks wooden planks together to create pixelated portraits.

Pixelated Face Sculptures by Gil BruvelPixelated Face Sculptures by Gil Bruvel

You can see the varied texture of these pixelated faces when the artwork is viewed from the side.

Pixelated Face Sculptures by Gil BruvelPixelated Face Sculptures by Gil BruvelPixelated Face Sculptures by Gil BruvelPixelated Face Sculptures by Gil BruvelPixelated Face Sculptures by Gil BruvelPixelated Face Sculptures by Gil BruvelPixelated Face Sculptures by Gil BruvelPixelated Face Sculptures by Gil BruvelPixelated Face Sculptures by Gil BruvelPixelated Face Sculptures by Gil Bruvel

 

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A post shared by Gil Bruvel (@gilbruvel)

Gil Bruvel: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Gil Bruvel.

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Margherita Cole

Margherita Cole is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met and illustrator based in Southern California. She holds a BA in Art History with a minor in Studio Art from Wofford College, and an MA in Illustration: Authorial Practice from Falmouth University in the UK. She wrote and illustrated an instructional art book about how to draw cartoons titled 'Cartooning Made Easy: Circle, Triangle, Square' that was published by Walter Foster in 2022.
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