Lisa Nigro

Working with multiple mediums, my practice includes creating large-scale sculptures that include flame effects, found object assemblages, hand-built clay forms, drawings, and map paintings. I merge kinetic sculpture, mythic imagery, and anatomical symbolism into immersive, theatrical forms. The repurposed materials I use carry a raw intelligence, while the recurring serpent, dragon, and heart motifs evoke cycles of transformation, vulnerability, and endurance. Living in a throwaway society where even people seem replaceable, I am driven to envision creating sculptures from that which has been tossed aside in volumes by our consumerist culture. My inspiration and working process begins with this gathering of the discarded in all its forms, from salvaged steel, antique tools, and old chandeliers parts to recycled steel drums. I employ mold-making, castings and bronze foundry techniques to portray more realistic body features in my figurative works. My eclectic approach to creating large-scale art often ignites the imagination with interactivity, fire, and performance. The content of these works is dominated by my desire to reinvent mythological creatures and iconic personas, thereby retelling their stories in contemporary sculptural form. The work intersects the visceral idea of spirit with human experience where fire is implemented as “show” to distract the viewer from the demands of the mundane material world. This contrasts highly with the more intimate content of my assemblage and ceramic clay works which are an expression of, and satire on issues we as women are confronted with in American culture.