I am a sculptor, collector, and explorer. Hubcaps, feathers, broken electronics, rocks, and candlesticks are just a few examples of collections you might find in my studio. I highlight the mundane and overlooked parts of life by repurposing found and post-consumer objects, united with natural materials and crafted elements. This combination introduces a sense of absurdity and sometimes humor into my sculptures, documenting aspects of reality in ambiguous compositions. The narratives behind my work are comprised of idiosyncratic specificity, intentionally leaving the purpose unclear. This invites viewers to examine objects more closely, to form a personal reflection, and to arrive at an individualized meaning.
Chosen materials directly influence the design of my creations. I seek objects through an exploratory and spontaneous process. Sometimes I set out on a walk intending to collect something specific, like twigs or river glass. During these treasure hunts, I encounter additional materials along the way. I am always alert for the unexpected, synchronistic moment of coming across an object that sparks my interest. Qualities of the found item draw my attention, such as the color, texture, or even the location in which it was found. I use these formal elements and symbolic characteristics, both personal and societal, to guide the groupings which form my assemblages. Much of my work is a diaristic process, a constellation of moments brought together, captured in an artifact representative of a specific time, place, or idea.
About the Artist
Alexis Irby is a visual artist and educator currently living in Columbia, Maryland. She is an Adjunct Professor and MFA Candidate at Towson University, pursuing a Master of Fine Arts with a concentration in sculpture. Her art draws inspiration from both nature and post-consumer objects, with a focus on formal qualities such as shape and pattern. She has exhibited sculptural work in a variety of galleries and exhibitions in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Delaware. Alexis has two Bachelor’s degrees in Art Education and Art & Design, with a concentration in the Fine Arts. She taught high school art for three years before returning to continue her education.Featured Work
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