themselveswaxbased

Themselveswaxbased is a term used in contemporary art discourse to describe a class of wax-based materials and processes that emphasize self-reference, self-formation, or autogenous behavior in the material. It is not a standardized technical designation, but a neologism that appears in critical writing and discussions about materiality and identity within sculpture, installation, and related practices.

Origin and scope

The term emerged in online art forums and scholarly discussions in the early 2020s, where critics and artists explored how wax media can be employed to produce works that respond to, or reflect upon, the artist or viewer. The concept centers on the idea that the material itself participates in the meaning of the piece, rather than serving only as a passive substrate.

Composition and properties

Themselveswaxbased typically refers to formulations based on natural waxes such as beeswax and carnauba, combined with additives like resins, oils, and polymers to achieve desirable workability and durability. These materials are commonly moldable when warm, set upon cooling, and remain re-meltable to enable iterative manipulation. Some approaches emphasize surface behavior—color shifts, texture evolution, or recrystallization—that can occur through handling, environmental exposure, or deliberate reheating.

Applications and examples

Artists use themselveswaxbased media for sculpture, encaustic painting, and installation pieces that invite interaction or transformation over time. Works may reveal layers or change form in response to audience contact, heat, or humidity, creating a dialogue between material and meaning.

Reception and discussion

Critics note that the term can be imprecise and open to interpretation, but it also provides a framework for examining material identity, process-oriented practice, and sustainability within wax-based media. Related topics include wax itself, encaustic technique, and theories of materiality in art.