Photo credit: Ben Franke
Paper artist Lesley Haas, who I featured in a profile earlier this spring, currently has two pieces of her work in the exhibition Revealing Culture at the Smithsonian Ripley Centre in Washington DC.
Photo credit: Ben Franke
In RAW SUFFERING OF A WOMAN (which was built directly on its mannequin), Lesley Haas created a visual representation of her pain, struggle and upheaval in creating a new life with her son after a divorce and after a decade of living abroad. This sculpture is made of handmade flax paper, the New York Times newspaper, Women's Wear Daily, antique hooks, brads, tuille, muslin, and elastic.
Photo credit: Ben Franke
In the hanging piece called BEFITTING A VIRTUOUS WOMAN, Lesley recreated a Renaissance styled gown out of abaca, unryu momi, and raffia for an exhibition in the 12th Century Hospital Santa Maria della Scala in Siena.
Photo credit: Ben Franke
These two works of paper exhibit a high level of craftsmanship and beauty. From my own experience, working with paper on this scale is incredibly difficult as it is liable to tear. The fragile nature of the medium alludes to the fragility of life and the inherent suffering that is an inevitable part of a woman's life's journey.
The Revealing Culture exhibition will be on display at the Smithsonian Ripley Centre until August 29, 2010. To see more of the work of Lesley Haas, visit her website here. And to see more photographs by her talented son, Ben Franke, visit his website here.
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