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