Andrea Wendel
Basalt, CO
Andrea Wendel's art explores textures and forms to create a narrative which is abstract and metaphoric.
MessageAndrea Wendel (b. 1960 Lebanon, Pennsylvania) explores textures and forms to create a narrative which is abstract and metaphoric. Wendel’s sculptural work tells stories of womanhood, while her functional sculpture changes the story of the object and transforms its identity beyond it function.
Using wood, metal, and a variety of mixed media, she emulates the textural elements found in nature, as well as applies artistic traditions of indigenous cultures.
Wendel studied Illustration at Moore College of art, Philadelphia, PA, Attended Del Ray Tech School for welding, Del Ray Beach, FL, and continued education in wood working and sculpture at Anderson Ranch Art Center, Snowmass, CO.
The artist has participated in shows, at the Forre Gallery , Aspen, CO (Solo Show), The Art Base, Basalt, CO (Solo Show) Magidson Gallery Aspen, CO.( 2-person Show), DeBilzan Gallery, Santa Fe, NM Anderson Ranch Art Center, Snowmass, CO. Woody Creek Gallery, Woody Creek, CO.
Andrea lives and works in Carbondale, CO
Statement
As a multidisciplinary artist working with woodworking, metalworking, and painting, I blend cultures and art movements to inspire each piece.
My eclectic approach integrates experiences from travels in Africa, time spent working in Ghana, and on Indian reservations in the Southwestern United States. This exposure developed my passion for makers, ceremonies, and the significance of details.
These particular cultures have shaped my aesthetic and remain at the core of my work. I honor their heritage by learning about the significance and historical value of these design elements, using these references side by side to create a blend of cultural ideas. My work celebrates visual pleasure and the rich visual history these cultures offer.
A Textured Expression
I express myself through sculpture with a vocabulary of textures, patterns, and mixed media. My illustrations layer and blend concepts with figurative and abstract forms across various mediums. Currently, I am delving deeper into an earlier series of sculptural work that looks at the powerful narratives of womanhood. I tell these stories through figurative and abstract forms which I cover in textures inspired by erosion and growth and often metaphorical elements inspired by the strength, fortitude, and spirit of womanhood.
Bridging Art and Function
When creating sculptural furniture, the functional aspect must first be addressed through design and engineering. I work back and forth between art and design, making objects of purpose and finding the balance between the two as my main objective. As a sculptor creating furniture, I bridge art and function by applying my compositions to a functional form, changing the story of the piece and transforming its identity as more than just functional, connecting the viewer emotionally with the artistic content as well as the form.
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