Artist Statement
Sandy Visse began sculpting clay when her children were little and she needed a creative space to make a mess all her own. As her skills grew, and her storage space didn't, she gained the confidence to approach galleries and join art collectives. Thirty years later working in a home studio in Portland, Oregon, Sandy enjoys a loyal following of collectors and is a staple artist at several Pacific Northwest shows each year.
Sandy has a flair for whimsy, humor, and bringing personality to animal form through shapes, animated expressions and a play on words. She takes familiar references and storylines and twists them into sculptured pieces with attitude, double meaning, and caricature. From camelabras—camels with candle holders—to tweety birds with orange bouffants—to donkeys in suits (All Dressed Up and Still an Ass)—Sandy Visse makes light of politics, life, and animal behavior with a sweetness and sense of whimsy that delights. She strives to bring smiles to others by making the absurd funny and the ordinary playfully new.
x