Artist Bio
Born in Fort Erie, Ontario, Taylor Pilote holds a B.F.A. in sculpture from the Lebel School of Visual Arts at the University of Windsor, Ontario. He also holds an M.F.A. in sculpture from the University of South Florida. His work is exhibited internationally including at the Canadian Sculptors Society and the Birch Contemporary Gallery, both in Toronto, MOCA North in Miami, Florida, The Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he also presented for Tedx TampaBay. Pilote is a recent recipient of grants from both the Tanne Foundation and Philadelphia Sculptors. Relocating to Philadelphia, Pilote renovated a former beer distributor warehouse, founding Pilote Studios, an artist studio building and project space in Fishtown, Philadelphia.
Artist Statement
Through the lens of car culture, using the skill set inherent to it, my practice juxtaposes growing up in my father’s low-brow auto garage with exploring how contemporary culture engages with symbols of independence, freedom, craftsmanship, customization, and nostalgia. Most recently, wall-mounted aqua-resin sculptures skew automotive and motorcycle references in an ambiguous and nonlinear way. These works explore specialized “editions” within motor-based subcultures. The use of faux-fluid material processes physically distorts recognizable vehicle features reveal ties to the reference subject via nods to iconic characteristics upon deeper investigation. Marketing ads, shop manuals, and historical information with crossovers between my upbringing and car culture folklore inform the decision-making process.
Checklist
FLAT FIX (After Pippa), 2023
Aqua Resin, automotive paint, flocking, 26” x 26” x 6”
FLAT FIX (GOOD), 2023
Aqua Resin, convex mirror, automotive paint, hand embellished, 26” x 26” x 6”
FLAT FIX (Urban legend), 2023
Aqua Resin, crushed glass, chrome emblems, clear resin, automotive paint, hand embellished, 28” x 28” x 6”
FLAT FIX (Ruby), 2023
Aqua Resin, convex mirror, automotive paint, hand embellished, 48” x 48” x 8”
FLAT FIX (Turf Saver), 2023
Tire, chrome baby moon, automotive paint, hand embellished, 20” x 20” x 5”
FLAT FIX (Inverse), 2023
Aqua resin, chrome baby moon, automotive paint, hand embellished, 20” x 20” x 5”
BOMB (for Mick), 2022
Aqua resin, chrome ornament, automotive paint, 71” x 28” x 16”
Warship, 2023
Aqua resin, taillights, automotive paint, 48” x 72” x 26”
Pound for Pound, 2023
Aqua resin, chrome ornaments, wall bracket, hay pulley, hooks and chain, 8’ x 3’x 3’
Nomad (BB Mint), 2022
Aqua resin, chrome ornament, automotive paint, 36” x 16” x 8”
Nomad (Dusky rose), 2022
Aqua resin, chrome ornament, automotive paint, 36” x 16” x 8”
Nomad (natural), 2023
Aqua resin, chrome ornament, automotive paint, 36” x 16” x 8”
Choppa Choppa, 2023
Mixed media sculpture, 7” x 6” x 8”
FLAT FIX (Bar top), 2022
Aqua Resin, crushed beer cans, clear resin, automotive paint, hand embellished, 26” x 26” x 5”
FLAT FIX (Hoser), 2022
Aqua Resin, convex mirror, automotive paint, hand embellished, 28” x 28” x 4”