// PORTFOLIO

Return. Foundation. Compulsion.

Portfolio Nouveau by Jordan Richard Knobler embodies all of these qualities. After a hiatus motivated by his need to grow and explore other facets of himself, Knobler found an opportunity to return in earnest to his first love: art. In doing so, he renewed his sculptural pursuit from where he had last paused.

Building upon the foundational knowledge developed through earlier works and merging it with recent research undertaken at Penland School of Craft, he once again leaves his mark. Drawing inspiration from figures such as Constantin Brâncusi, Brigitte Meier-Denninghoff, and Jan van der Laan, Knobler seeks forms that are both captivating and inviting.

Concrete, his chosen medium, offers a paradoxical flexibility in realizing his vision. Unlike traditional stone—where the sculpture must be extracted from the material—concrete itself can become the piece. Yet this simplicity belies its challenge. Through a meticulous and rigorous process, the humble substance that underpins our built world is elevated to an object of reverence, resulting in sculptures that are both visually striking and sensually engaging.