Stuffed
Cynthia Lahti
Nov 18 - Dec 9, 2017
Stuffed, which encompasses collage and combine sculptures created by Cynthia Lahti, is
influenced by human artifacts from ancient times to the present, as well as by personal
experiences and emotions. The artworks contain the belief that even the smallest artifact can
evoke the most powerful feelings, and draws inspiration from objects and images, both historical
and contemporary, that have the potential to reflect beyond themselves.
The collages and sculptural pieces combine materials from two vastly different sources, resulting in expansion of the artworks’ potency and eloquence. The source images for the collages include old magazines combined with images that were found, downloaded and printed of objects that are for sale on Ebay. The sculptures combine manufactured objects with sculpted ceramic components created by Ms Lahti. The elements are altered, manipulated, and combined in a process that becomes an obvious and integral part of the completed piece. While introducing an element of mystery it while also refers to art historical uses of “found” materials by artists associated with Dada and Surrealism.
At the heart of these works is the potential of each source image to evoke a different emotional response on a full spectrum of tensions and resonances, which is deepened when two images and/or objects are put together. Each artwork weds and combines the sacred with the profane, the wise with the stupid and the beautiful with the grotesque.
Cynthia Lahti creates artworks that are visually alluring and beautiful, despite their overt imperfections and sometimes-humble materials. Inspired by objects and images, both historical and contemporary, her creations reflect her belief that even the smallest artifact can evoke the most powerful feelings. She grew up in Portland, Oregon, leaving to earn her bachelor's degree at the Rhode Island School of Design. After graduating in 1985 she returned to Oregon where she continues to live and make art, finding inspiration in both its physical and psychological landscape and the way it encourages her fearless studio practice.
Her art practice, that encompasses drawing, collage, and sculpture, is influenced by human artifacts from ancient times to the present, as well as by personal experiences and emotions. She was awarded the Hallie Ford Fellowship for artists in 2013, the Bonnie Bronson Fellowship in 2015 and the Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Individual Support Grant in 2017.
cynthialahti.blogspot.com
The collages and sculptural pieces combine materials from two vastly different sources, resulting in expansion of the artworks’ potency and eloquence. The source images for the collages include old magazines combined with images that were found, downloaded and printed of objects that are for sale on Ebay. The sculptures combine manufactured objects with sculpted ceramic components created by Ms Lahti. The elements are altered, manipulated, and combined in a process that becomes an obvious and integral part of the completed piece. While introducing an element of mystery it while also refers to art historical uses of “found” materials by artists associated with Dada and Surrealism.
At the heart of these works is the potential of each source image to evoke a different emotional response on a full spectrum of tensions and resonances, which is deepened when two images and/or objects are put together. Each artwork weds and combines the sacred with the profane, the wise with the stupid and the beautiful with the grotesque.
Cynthia Lahti creates artworks that are visually alluring and beautiful, despite their overt imperfections and sometimes-humble materials. Inspired by objects and images, both historical and contemporary, her creations reflect her belief that even the smallest artifact can evoke the most powerful feelings. She grew up in Portland, Oregon, leaving to earn her bachelor's degree at the Rhode Island School of Design. After graduating in 1985 she returned to Oregon where she continues to live and make art, finding inspiration in both its physical and psychological landscape and the way it encourages her fearless studio practice.
Her art practice, that encompasses drawing, collage, and sculpture, is influenced by human artifacts from ancient times to the present, as well as by personal experiences and emotions. She was awarded the Hallie Ford Fellowship for artists in 2013, the Bonnie Bronson Fellowship in 2015 and the Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Individual Support Grant in 2017.
cynthialahti.blogspot.com
