Lea Feinstein’s sculptural work represents a transformative exploration of industrial materials, particularly Tyvek, in conjunction with repurposed everyday objects. Through her innovative approach, she reconceptualizes functional items such as baskets and lamp shades, elevating them beyond their utilitarian origins into artistic expressions that challenge the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces.
In her sculptural practice, Feinstein deliberately selects baskets for their inherent structural qualities, using them as foundational armatures for complex woven formations. She weaves Tyvek through the stakes of these baskets, creating intricate patterns that simultaneously reveal and conceal the underlying form. This technique allows her to build totem-like structures that stack vertically, establishing a dialogue between the traditional craft of basket-weaving and contemporary sculptural practices.
Through her manipulation of these materials, Feinstein challenges conventional notions of sculptural space. Her work dissolves traditional boundaries between functional objects and fine art, creating pieces that exist in a space between utility and pure aesthetic expression. The resulting sculptures embody themes of metamorphosis, suggesting the potential for ordinary objects to transcend their original purposes and emerge as transformed entities.
These sculptures reflect Feinstein’s broader artistic investigation into the nature of change and possibility. By repurposing existing forms and materials, she demonstrates how transformation can reveal unexpected beauty in the familiar. Her work invites viewers to reconsider their assumptions about everyday objects and envision new possibilities for artistic expression.
www.instagram.com/leafeinstein/
Return to 9 x 9: Contemporary Quilts & Containers HERE.
