Raina Wirta

Sisters (detail)

Franconia Sculpture Park,

Fabricated steel

19' 4" x 22' 3" x 23' 4"

2009

Raina Wirta

Sisters (detail)

Franconia Sculpture Park,

Fabricated steel

19' 4" x 22' 3" x 23' 4"

2009

Raina Wirta

Sisters (detail)

Franconia Sculpture Park,

Fabricated steel

19' 4" x 22' 3" x 23' 4"

2009

Raina Wirta

Sisters

Franconia Sculpture Park,

Fabricated steel

19' 4" x 22' 3" x 23' 4"

2009

Materials induce a visceral sensitivity in my soul. I am ultimately and endearingly attracted to the tactility of abandoned items and cheaply made, disposable materials such as plastic bags or discarded spring steel. Strange items or estranged materials and objects have always fascinated me because of their vulnerability, and I feel as if everything I come in contact with has innate potential.

I combine media. I am continually traversing the boundaries between the known usages of certain materials. I layer, wrap, melt, cut, and sew materials such as latex, wire, plastic bags, sheet plastic, and fabric. There is also a bit of dumpster diving that guides my work. This mentality of reusing, reformulating, and reconstructing has been a part of who I am as a person. Salvaging scraps of material and reusing old sculptures into new pieces directs my art making.

artist statement: