Email: helen.lessick@gmail.com
Website: http://www.lessick.net/
Medium: public art, sculpture, installation, planning, signage, conceptual, site-specific
Artist Statement
Working in and outside the studio, I harness context and extend observed experience with a fresh perspective on quotidian environments: the soil, trees, personal effort and community spirit. I work to awaken wonder, engage diverse audiences with approachable imagery and creative use of time and perspective. My art is created in and outside the studio, as a public artist and in artistic and community collaboration.
An artist of engagement, I work in public and community context. Community is key in my palette. I awaken local wonder at common phenomena, engage diverse audiences with approachable imagery and creative use of materials and time by developing layered accessibility to the form and content of my art. An artist of ideas, I explore quotidian phenomena in sculpture and prints, public art and actions, video, installation and creative non-fiction drawing interest from viewers with diverse aesthetic training.
My sequenced and thematic forms and images aim to awaken and reawaken viewer awareness of everyday phenomena. Combining dimensional imagery and creative interpretation, my site-related works explore and enhance experience of community, landscape and its history.
I layer technical research and metaphoric reflection, context and content to create site-specific works of depth and reflection. I unite play and factual research, conceptual practice and approachable form, creative non-fiction and technical research. Combining dimensional imagery and creative interpretation, my site-related works explore and enhance experience of community, landscape and its history.
I am committed to creating public art that is impactful and durable. My artwork includes identifying appropriate materials, sites and contexts public for artwork to be enjoyed over time. I am experienced in public art planning and working with diverse design professionals.
I am interested in exploring and collaborating with communities and locations new to me. I have created engaging and accessible art about the interplay of soils and community experience in Los Angeles and Kenya, the tree community in California, and the parallels between generative artists and earthworms in Seattle. I bring extensive experience and fresh eyes to each site and opportunity.
Contemporary art has the power to harness creativity through observation and curiosity. Uniting my practice is an examination of shared experience through conceptual practice and approachable form.