Lauren Yeager

Lives and works in Cleveland, OH, USA

Artist statement

My practice is a continual process of collecting and re-imagining commonplace objects as sculptural components. This pursuit challenges and enhances my ability to perceive my surroundings as a bank of possibilities as I endeavor to find value in things that have been devalued. Sourcing materials from curbside refuse piles throughout Cleveland, I intercept the objects as they await being hauled to landfills. My approach to compiling found objects is akin to archeology. The objects in my compositions- the formerly wanted belongings of my neighbors- evidence a history of use and individual decisions about worth, while their disposability reflects the industry values that direct our consumer society. The material lifespans of these products far exceed their desirability as consumer values shift at ever-increasing rates. I select objects for their formal characteristics as well as their relational familiarity. With original functions maintained, the link to their contextual origins is preserved. This allows the work to fluctuate between contexts, to be both formal sculptures and relics of personal histories and daily monotony. The Western sculpture canon provides an aesthetic framework that guides my material selections and designs. Styrofoam and plastic cooler lids masquerade as carved stone and cast concrete. Fiberglass planters weathered by outdoor storage exhibit a patina of history and authenticity as synthetic colors fade. Peeling paint alludes to veined marble or...

Artwork