Lauren Selden, Texas Sculpture Group
From Nacogdoches, Texas
Artist Statement:
In recent sculptural works, she is researching plants and animals that can hide, hibernate, or go dormant. She uses this imagery as a way to discuss how it would be nice to hide from the current social and political events. These works provide narratives about isolation and courage. In the Returning Home series, each work responds to ideas of displacement, architecture, and memory. Using soft wax, she fabricated replicas of her previous homes. The universal style of these middle-class homes connects with the viewer. Each bronze work looks like there has been a horrible event and the homes stand on stilts to avoid rising water- a metaphor. In her jewelry work, she is creating sterling silver jewelry that can be worn throughout the day and placed on its sculptural mount upon safe return home. Works are inspired by drawings created by her young daughter as they worked together throughout the isolation of 2020 and 2021. These works offer joy and happiness during a trying time.
Artist Biography:
Lauren Selden is a working artist, mother, and professor living in East Texas. Originally from Indiana, Selden received her MFA from Arizona State University where she studied metalworking, jewelry, and sculpture. She is currently a Professor of Art at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU) in Nacogdoches, Texas. Exhibition accomplishments include solo, invitational, and juried exhibitions in national and international venues. Her artwork has been published in Metalsmith magazine, Lark Books 500 Metal Vessels and Lark Books 500 Wedding Rings. Selden’s outdoor sculptures have been on public display in various cities across the country, and two of her sculptures were acquired by the San Marcos Arts Commission permanent sculpture collection. She has given workshops and lectures at conferences, universities, junior colleges, and art centers across the country as well as in Brazil, Germany, France, Iceland, and Mexico. In 2018, she spent time at the Baer Art Center Residency in Hofsós, Iceland and had the honor to be a featured artist in the 2do Festival de Arte Nueve in Chihuahua, Mexico. In 2019, Selden served as an artist in residence at The Imagination Lab in Indiana where she worked with over 1000 students from 2nd to 5th grade. Current work includes small sculptural works as well as wearable jewelry.