Sigrid Zahner and Kara Hampton
Sigrid Zahner on her work:
I fabricate the models for molds out of found fabrics/socks, textured weavings. I stuff them, bind them, and then make plaster molds. I also carve sections out of foam and make molds. I cast them all with porcelain slip, add to them and and assemble them into figurative work. I am interested in portraying how we are all made up of disparate parts and experiences. I like to point out that a woven or knitted surface is often read as 'women's work' and it is women who usually raise us. The doll-like dimensions are an essential part of the work.
About Sigrid Zahner: Sigrid Zahner was born and raised in London and was a musician in a family of musicians. She ran away to the United States in her early 20's and was inspired by the ceramics movement on the West Coast. She was introduced to the work of Annette Messager. Messager's "Le Repos des Pensionnaires", a piece that incorporates birds on a table in knitted jackets, was one of the most influential and iconic pieces for Zahner. She feels that, in spite of her British background, she is an American artist in every way. Zahner is the head of the ceramics department at Purdue University where she also teaches sculpture.
Kara Hampton on her work:
My work has been a product of my observation of human nature, anatomy and body integrity. Humans are not perfect creatures, and to address this I choose to express my own personal experiences, emotions and mental state through my pieces, in an attempt to reach a larger audience. I am particularly interested in exploring the relationship between ourselves and the ‘misfortunes’ that plague our bodies, i.e. death, disease and turmoil. While working as an assistant in a veterinary clinic, I found beauty in the bodies of the animals on the operating table. Often times, it is easier to discuss the imposing death and disease of an animal in comparison to a human. By placing detailed stain drawings of dead animals on a smooth human organ, I am creating that personal connection between the viewer and death. The thoughts of others are only truly accessible to that individual person. I am trying to penetrate within those layers of self identity and thoughts to lift the veil on our inability to confront the realities of death, disease and misfortune. I present my innermost perceptions and experiences of situations to the audience so they can embrace their own imperfections, and continue on with their lives. In the last year I have had to come to terms with my own bodily failures and faults, making my goal to create work inspired by the true beauties of life and death even more critical. My experiences in life have made me unique, and through the process of creating my pieces, it has challenged me to generate healthy acceptance between myself and my body. My pieces aren't just recreations of dissections or anatomy or grotesque abstract sculptures, but rather a poetic reflection of the endless beauties that can be found within our very own bodies.
About Kara Hampton: Kara Hampton earned her BA in Fine Arts with a concentration in ceramics from Purdue University in the spring of 2016. She currently lives and works in Indiana. Hampton's work has been a product of her observation of human nature, anatomy and body integrity. Through her work, she wants to lift the veil on the human inability to confront the realities of death, disease and misfortune. Through this exposure, Hampton hopes to open a dialogue between the viewer and their own body.