Maggie Leininger

Stitched Surfaces
Installations
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Artist Statement
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Artist Statement

Currently, I am exploring visual relationships between microscopic structures and social systems and networks. Pathology and cellular reproduction is a specific area of interest where I am investigating how certain diseases develop, reproduce and form colonies not unlike our human civilization.  Living in an urban environment with the formation of neighborhoods demarcated by invisible lines known only by the inhabitants is very similar to cellular construction and communication.  While some neighborhoods seem to be diseased and deteriorating, others are vibrant and active. Often this occurs as a result of how we dissect ourselves according to beliefs, views, interests, races, classes and languages.  Similarly, both healthy and unhealthy cells divide among themselves according to specific needs of the larger organism or the genetic construction of the pathological formation.

In addition, I am also exploring various construction methods that involve deconstruction, or reductive processes using a wide variety of materials. I am interested in exploring the creative and visual processes by which these materials can be manipulated to mimic patterns found on maps, plants, animals or underneath the microscope.  By examining how something can be deconstructed, essentially, I am exploring how it is created in the first place. Furthermore, juxtaposing materials in a way that differs from their original intent invites the viewer into the work to question why and how a particular piece is constructed and to create the correlation between process and concept.


Mapping1Large.jpg

Mapping, 2006. Ink, vellum.



Cell-Drawing.jpg

Cell, 2006, Ink and vellum.