melise mestayer
Craving tactile materials, bundles of broken down boxes and plastic containers are collected from the side of the street or in dumpsters. A misshapen rock or twisted branch often joins the mix of discarded remnants, creating a cacophony of objects from both the natural and material realms. These materials are chosen for their devalued, ephemeral, and formal qualities, and they are organized utilizing a physically demanding process. Each object that is collected displays a history, showing evidence of a life lived prior to their artistic arrangement. And, beyond this expressive incarnation, these materials also have a lifespan. These projects not only employ imagery from the natural world, they also having a life trajectory that mimics all things found in nature.
Epoxy putty on wood 5" x 5" x 3.5"
Cast bronze 13" x 16" x 12"
Cardboard, hot glue, acrylic 21" x 23" x 7"
Straws and hot glue 7.5" x 6.5" x 5" and 8" x 7" x 9"
Epoxy putty and shells Varied sizes
Epoxy putty, wire mesh, seeds, acrylic
Epoxy putty on wood 12" x 9" x 3.5"
Recycled toilet paper and paper towel rolls, biodegradable adhesive, wood, Plexiglas, LED light Dimensions variable
Cardboard, hot glue, grape stems 6" x 5" x 5"
Cardboard, hot glue, grape stems 6" x 5" x 5"
Gummy worms, plaster gauze, chicken wire, hot glue, acrylic varnish 12" x 8" x 9"
Clay, wire mesh, glue, spray paint, embossing powder, gold leaf on wood 16" x 16" x 6.5"
Epoxy putty and wire Approx. 12" x 15"
Epoxy putty and wire Approx. 12" x 15"
Ceramic 6" x 6" x 4"
Cardboard, hot glue, magazine paper 13" x 12" x 3.5"
Glazed ceramic 8" x 8" x 4.5"
Ceramic 6" x 5" x 8.5"
Cardboard, hot glue, foam core, acrylic, wooden stretcher bars Approx 8' x 10' x 4'
Cast bronze Dimensions variable
Shells, epoxy putty, rock, brick Approx. 6" x 6" x 8"
Epoxy putty and wire on wood
Cardboard and hot glue 4' x 5' x 5'
Epoxy putty and wire on wood
Wire, lace, thread 6" x 5" x 4"
Metal wire, thread, leather, wood, glue, goldleaf 8" x 8" x 13"
Cardboard, hot glue, acrylic 19" x 14" x 8"
Glazed ceramic Approx. 23" x 8" each
Straws, hot glue, rock 7" x 4" x 6"
Ceramic, twine, branches Dimensions variable
Cardboard, hot glue, acrylic Dimensions variable
Twigs, wire, clay, hot glue 18" x 12" x 12"
Ceramic 8" x 8" x 4"
Epoxy putty on wood 9" x 12" x 3"
Epoxy putty, wire, twine, branch 9" x 12" x 6"
Cardboard, hot glue, foam core 48" x 48" and 48" x 18"
Glazed ceramic, stocking, stuffing 3" x 4" x 3"
Wood, wire, thread, twine, earplugs Approx. 6" x 9"
Cardboard and hot glue 4' x 5' x 5'
Foam core, hot glue, acrylic 12" x 12" x 6"
Clay, embossing powder, spray paint, gold leaf on wood panel 9" x 9" x 2.5"
Ceramic Approx. 9" sphere