A3a, 2008-2023

A3A, is one of Badriah Hamelinks earlier works; a member of the A series. Smooth surfaces of white marble dominate the visual language and hermetic bodies of stone appear impenetrable. In A3A, two different movements are clearly visible. The tension between going up and going down, going out and going in; between introspection and extraversion. The sculpture’s primary forms are distilled to the simplicity of an oval and an inclined line. The oval defines the slender sculpture, creating a stage where two points converge and diverge – a convex peak and a concave notch. These opposing elements, however, are connected through a line, like a ridge, that now and then seemingly vanishes and reappears. A visual play, accentuated by the interplay of light on the surface, on which soft shadows suddenly transform into hard shadows – as if the line dissolves into the sculpture’s skin. White marble meets a black polyester cast (of an enormous block of salt) sitting on a piece of Noir de Tunesie. 

When the surface curves inward, it evokes a sense of shyness or introspection, while outward curves suggest extraversion. Perhaps there’s a vitality within the sculpture that mirrors our own essence—sometimes contemplative, yet yearning to break free. Contained within A3A, an inner skeleton resides that propels itself outward, attempting to liberate whatever lies within, allowing the sculpture to take shape. This is the first piece where something fundamental fell into place for Badriah. It  encompasses both her previous studies in concavity  and convexity, as well as her research into lines. In addition to that it is the first work that reflects itself. Both the masculine and the feminine energy are represented. As seen from the top one sees an elliptical shape and a line. As seen from the side it reveals an angular trapezoid shape, thus marrying formal opposites. 

Title: [A3A], Material: Bianco Pi Marble, 36,6cm x 18cm x 8,5cm, 2008-2023