heather saddler
Bio
Heather Saddler is a local sculptor, working in recycled paper medium. She graduated from the University of Washington with a Fine Arts degree and until a 2015 trip to Mexico, worked in oils and printmaking. In a small town in Oaxaca Province, she spent a week with Miriam Ladron de Guevara, who generously taught her this innovative technique and process. Heather has been working exclusively in this medium since then.
Artist Statement
I have fallen in love with sculpture. I love the physicality of the process - cutting and bending wire for armatures, engineering viable structures, feeling the paper pulp in my hands as I make and apply it, assembling intricate “skirts”, and pouring cement bases. My sculptures are primarily female figures that evoke for me inner struggles, strengths, and strivings. I lean towards themes that allow me to create dynamic figures, often in a state of movement or balancing.
Working in a new medium means I am constantly learning. As I get more comfortable with the basics, I can push the boundaries of my craft. Inspired by my continued study of past and contemporary sculptors like Edgar Degas, Giacomo Manzu, Alberto Giacometti, and Phillip Levine, I am experimenting with different treatments of the sculpting material. As my “engineering” skills improve, I try more challenging structures. I am also exploring different recycled, upcycled and found objects to incorporate into my work and am fascinated when I come across other artists who work with these materials. Last but not least, I am intrigued by the potential sculpture has to evoke feelings and connect to the viewer. As the Seattle sculptor Phillip Levine said, “Sculpture is three-dimensional storytelling. Sculpture leaves a great deal of room for the viewer to bring his/her story to add understanding and enjoyment.” I have been delighted to experience this reaction in people viewing my work, and I am challenged to create pieces that tap into universal questions and issues that speak to my audience.
Heather Saddler is a local sculptor, working in recycled paper medium. She graduated from the University of Washington with a Fine Arts degree and until a 2015 trip to Mexico, worked in oils and printmaking. In a small town in Oaxaca Province, she spent a week with Miriam Ladron de Guevara, who generously taught her this innovative technique and process. Heather has been working exclusively in this medium since then.
Artist Statement
I have fallen in love with sculpture. I love the physicality of the process - cutting and bending wire for armatures, engineering viable structures, feeling the paper pulp in my hands as I make and apply it, assembling intricate “skirts”, and pouring cement bases. My sculptures are primarily female figures that evoke for me inner struggles, strengths, and strivings. I lean towards themes that allow me to create dynamic figures, often in a state of movement or balancing.
Working in a new medium means I am constantly learning. As I get more comfortable with the basics, I can push the boundaries of my craft. Inspired by my continued study of past and contemporary sculptors like Edgar Degas, Giacomo Manzu, Alberto Giacometti, and Phillip Levine, I am experimenting with different treatments of the sculpting material. As my “engineering” skills improve, I try more challenging structures. I am also exploring different recycled, upcycled and found objects to incorporate into my work and am fascinated when I come across other artists who work with these materials. Last but not least, I am intrigued by the potential sculpture has to evoke feelings and connect to the viewer. As the Seattle sculptor Phillip Levine said, “Sculpture is three-dimensional storytelling. Sculpture leaves a great deal of room for the viewer to bring his/her story to add understanding and enjoyment.” I have been delighted to experience this reaction in people viewing my work, and I am challenged to create pieces that tap into universal questions and issues that speak to my audience.