Levi De Jong

Lives and works in New York, NY, USA

Artist statement

My sculptural practice challenges and reimagines American identity through abstraction, using symbols like the American flag, religious iconography, and pop culture references to deconstruct and redefine their cultural significance. Growing up in the Midwest, I explore themes such as nationalism and the complexities of Americanness in my work. By transforming these familiar symbols, I aim to question the narratives they reinforce and provoke a deeper reflection on their role in shaping our collective experience. Drawing on the technical foundations from my studies in Florence and London, I integrate these ideas with a material rationale informed by my upbringing. I work with recycled builder's materials, which carry their inherent histories—remnants of labor, class, and industry. These materials, once used to build public or private spaces, now serve as vessels of memory and cultural commentary, allowing me to explore the intersections of industry, identity, and the American experience. I find myself greatly influenced by the Arte Povera movement and expressionist schools of thought. I manipulate these materials in unexpected ways, breaking down their conventional meanings and offering new, liberated perspectives on American identity. Through this process, I create space for critical dialogue, inviting viewers to reconsider their relationships with the ideas and values embedded in everyday cultural and political symbols.

Artwork