Featured Artist: Jennifer Maestre
...draws the touch in spite of the possible consequences.
The work of Jennifer Maestre is inspired by the sea urchin. “The spines of the urchin, so dangerous yet beautiful, serve as an explicit warning against contact. The alluring texture of the spines draws the touch in spite of the possible consequences.”
To create her organic looking sculptures, she uses a peyote stitch. She stitches hundreds of pencils that are cut into 1-inch sections and drilled to make beads. Spending weeks to even months, Maestre’s results are phenomenal and recognized throughout the globe.
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Jen Maestre was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. As a child, her family lived in, and traveled to, many different countries. She was introduced to many great works of art at a very young age, including the Lion statues at Persepolis, which she visited at age 2.5, dressed in a party frock and red slippers. Even though she always loved making art, she didn’t muster up the courage to become a full-time artist until her mid-30’s. She has been creating her pencil sculptures since 1999. You can view more of her works here.