Rina AC Dweck

Lives and works in New York, NY, USA

Artist statement

I make work riddled with juxtapositions. Organic next to synthetic, readymade alongside handmade, real versus fake, past, beside present. My use of hair as a foundational material signifier tethers me to explorations of identity, femininity, religion, and freedom. My process is reactionary, rooted in my fixation with objects, and coupled with my incessant need to arrange. Material choices vary, but often repeat. I counter norms of expectation by pushing materials to their limits, creating combinations that yield an idiosyncratic language. Born and bred in New York City and raised in an immigrant community, I grew up surrounded by lively histories and intense contrast. This upbringing created a propensity toward reimagining and a belief in the beauty of difference as a source of possibility.

Artwork

• Personal Geniza/All the Places-Wig Series #3, 2024. Synthetic hair, plastic crates found outside the restaurant from around the corner, resin, food coloring, acrylic hat stand, synthetic wig, thread, ribbon, twine, mesh produce bag, beads, hamsa trinket, and over 40 personal objects
• Smoking, 2025. iPhone Photo
• Drinking, 2024. iPhone Photo
• Flipping the Mattress/Kefiat Hamittah, 2024. synthetic hair, kitchen scrubber cloth, ribbon, metallic thread, crushed hubcap, yarn, glass beads, chandelier crystals, bells, hair clips, chicken wire, שמע amulet (Ben Porat Yosef), mylar
• Wig Series #1, 2024. synthetic wig, synthetic hair, foam, thrifted jewelry stand, thread, ribbon, pins, acrylic paint, clay, collar tips, mirrored tray
• Wig Series #2, 2023. synthetic hair, acrylic paint, thread, plastic produce containers, crystal candy dish lid, rhinestone head pin, fabric, glue, mirrored tray
• Lineage, 2025. pencil, pen, collage, paint, paint, scraps, synthetic hair, plastic safety fence, evil eye amulet
• Kill the Choir, 2024. paper, marker, pencil, mirror paper, paper and fabric scraps, puff paint, glue, synthetic hair
• Congrats, 2024. paper, acrylic paint, marker, pencil, synthetic hair, beads
• The brighter side of Eden, 2023. synthetic hair, foam, pearl head pins, hosiery, hair accessories, synthetic flowers, resin, craft materials, poly-fil, flexible mirror sheets, acrylic
• A watched Pot, 2023. metallic scrubber dish towel, organza, synthetic hair, thread, glue, acrylic paint, mirror
• Bangs, 2022. raw canvas, synthetic hair, chiffon fabric, lace ribbon, lace doilies, thread, glue, Ben Porat Yosef Amulet
• No desire to go Home, 2022. synthetic hair, dryer lint, resin, plaster, glue, mesh produce bags, detritus, thread, hair clips, board
• Baladi, 2022. foam padding, synthetic hair, mm clay, salt clay, pearl head pins, liquid latex, pearl glitter, paint, clay beads, glue, plexiglass, resin
• Life, 2021. found bucket, stones, synthetic and organic found objects, hosiery, plastic wrap, synthetic hair, soil, resin
• Lockdown II, 2021. ice cube tray, resin, organic and synthetic found objects, decorative pins, needlepoint mat, hosiery, ice pick
• Some Years ask the questions/Some Years give the Answers, 2020. casserole basket, pushpins, synthetic hair, alginate, resin, carnations, oyster shells, acrylic paint
• Compliment, 2020. paper doily, beads, acrylic paint, resin, spray paint, fishing wire, synthetic hair, a pillow, PEVA vinyl zippered pillow case protector, pushpins
• Darkened Rainbows, 2020. raw canvas, resin, acrylic paint, detritus, plastic bucket, wig, synthetic hair, mesh produce bag
• Sinner I, 2019. thigh high hosiery, synthetic hair, poly-fil, mesh supermarket produce bags, thread
• Sinner II (for Al), 2019. assorted hosiery, synthetic hair, poly-fil, soil, lace, lace ribbon, macramé decals, thread, rubber bands, beading
• Rainbows and Pearls, 2019. vintage macramé doily, gorilla glue, pearls, thread, synthetic hair, twine, buttons, fabric
• Weird, 2019. PEVA vinyl zippered pillow case protector bag, synthetic hair, paint, fabric, mesh supermarket produce bag, thread
• A Blessing and a Burden, 2019. metal mesh found object, synthetic hair, resin, plastic pearl trim, thread, hair clips
• Intertwined, 2018. metal freezer shelf, synthetic hair
• Unrecognizable , 2018. PEVA (vinyl) zippered storage bag, synthetic hair, hosiery, poly-fil, metal lint trap, paint, resin, pearl head pins
• Scalped III, 2018. synthetic hair, thread, resin
• Yellow-Study II, 2019. paper, paint, ink, pen, mesh supermarket produce bags, fabric, synthetic hair, pins,
• Rina (series), 2019. polaroid mini print
• Sides series-#10 Hot Chanie, 2015. large format Polaroid print
• Sides series-#7 Ashkephard/Mutt, 2014. large format Polaroid print
• Sides series #2, 2013. large format Polaroid print
• Sides series #1-Birth, 2013. large format Polaroid print
• Brooms, 2013. Polaroid print, lashes
• Project Face #365, 2012. iPhone photograph