Candles often serve functional roles, from illuminating homes to diffusing therapeutic scents. However, American artist Janie Korn elevates the unassuming wax medium into genuine sculpture, a concept fully realized in her debut Singapore solo exhibition, Cirque Korn. Currently showcased at the independent Heartware Store & Gallery in Joo Chiat, the exhibition invites viewers into a meticulously hand-carved and hand-painted miniature circus world, demonstrating the expressive potential of a traditionally utilitarian item.
Korn, a self-taught artist who initially explored ceramics, eventually transitioned to wax, establishing a reputation for her whimsical, one-of-a-kind “magic candles.” Moving far beyond simple aromatic pillars, her creations range from elaborate architectural structures and fantastical objects, such as spellcasting wands, to detailed animal figures. Through a signature painting technique utilizing soft, muted tones, Korn imbues her sculpted candles with a visual texture reminiscent of three-dimensional watercolor paintings. While fully functional, the pieces are widely regarded as precious collectible art, discouraging the act of lighting the wick and allowing the intricate designs to melt.
Immersive Display Captures Chaos and Color
The Cirque Korn exhibition is an explosion of color and controlled chaos, transforming the gallery space into a vibrant Big Top. The detailed wax sculptures depict classic circus archetypes: ponies and poodles performing tricks, exuberant clowns, and flexible acrobats forming precarious human stacks.
The exhibition design enhances the immersive experience, utilizing display stands crafted to resemble circus tents, culminating in a dramatic main stage at the center. One striking presentation features a row of sculpted faces, presumed to be the circus audience, placed beneath a poignant, handwritten statement: “Every day feels like a circus. Some days I’m the ringmaster, some days I’m the runaway poodle.” This subtle inclusion of text provides an introspective layer, hinting at the performance and duality inherent in daily life.
Accessibility and Acquisition
Located at the Heartware Store & Gallery, the Cirque Korn exhibition is free to enter, encouraging broad public access to Korn’s unique artistry. Consistent with the gallery’s operational model, every piece displayed is available for purchase, offering art collectors and enthusiasts an opportunity to acquire a unique item. For those with limited display space, Korn also offers smaller, gachapon-sized candles, making her accessible art attainable for a wider audience.
Janie Korn’s masterful manipulation of wax challenges conventional perceptions of craft and fine art. By transforming a simple household item into intricate, narrative-driven sculptures, she affirms the candle’s potential as a profound artistic medium, capable of conveying detailed narrative and whimsical spectacle. The exhibition’s run in Singapore reinforces the city’s status as a dynamic hub for showcasing innovative and boundary-pushing contemporary art forms.
Visit Details: Cirque Korn by Janie Korn is currently on display at Heartware Store & Gallery in Joo Chiat. Entry is free. Inquiries regarding the artist and her works can be directed to the gallery.