Stephanie Gibby

Stephanie Gibby, a sculptor and woodworker from the vibrant landscapes of South Louisiana, graduated from Louisiana State University in 2012 with a BFA in Sculpture and Photography. Deeply connected to the natural beauty and cultural richness of her community, Stephanie's art seamlessly blends her passion for woodworking with her ongoing exploration of self. Her collage-inspired sculptures dwell in the space between reality and imagination, where the natural world and fables intermingle, giving voice to the stories and dreams we craft in the absence of certainty. Stephanie has exhibited her work nationally at galleries and museums, including the Midwestern Center of Photography, Fort Works Art, and the Acadiana Center for the Arts.

Statement
"Artificial Lore" is an exploration of the interplay between the natural world and the enigmatic realms of human-made stories. Through this wooden sculpture series, I delve into the intriguing concept of crafting mythologies and narratives in the absence of concrete history, a reflection of the uncertain familial terrain that often characterizes my own life. Each sculpture is a testament to the art of storytelling, as I merge organic elements with artificial intricacies, forging a visual language that hints at the tales we create to make sense of our unknown origins. "Artificial Lore" invites viewers to ponder the blurred boundaries between the real and the imagined, beckoning them into a world where nature and myth converge, and the compelling narratives we fashion become as real as the wood and the air we breathe.

www.stephaniegibby.com

What is your first memory creating?

Often my parents were unable to find suitable childcare, leading me to accompany my father to job sites. In those moments, he would cut 2x4s into blocks, designating a corner for me to build while he worked. Those early days on job sites became my playground, where the echoes of hammers and the scent of sawdust fueled my earliest memories of creation—a foundation that established a profound connection between my art and the tangible, hands-on world I discovered in those formative years.

What is your relationship to your medium? What draws you to it?

I was surrounded by wood from a young age. My dad is a carpenter, my uncle was a carpenter, and my grandfather was a woodworker. I never thought much about woodworking until I started college. The scent of sawdust from my childhood was so inviting every time I passed the wood shop on campus. After taking one sculpture class, I decided to become a double major. I just couldn't imagine my life without it. Balancing photography and sculpture, I explored various avenues, constructing cameras and slide projectors from wood, crafting installations and objects designed to play roles in my photographs. Then, on a whim, I purchased a scroll saw. After months of exploration and experimentation, I discovered it—how I wanted to work, what I now call wooden collages. This time of exploration has molded my artistic identity, immersing me in the tangible realm of wood and igniting a passion for creating in unconventional ways.

What is the main thing you hope your audience takes away from your art?

My work has always centered around illustrating experiences. It traverses the realms of my personal experiences, the perspectives of my subjects, or the stories resonating with strangers on social media. Viewers will discover reflections of themselves within the work—a mirror that conjures memories, whether cherished, loathed, or feared. My intention is to forge connections, fostering a shared experience that transcends the boundaries of the tangible and the intangible. My most current series follows the boundary shading formula. In the wake of an arduous year, I began to explore the idea of what we truly comprehend about our loved ones, the perceptions we construct, and the intricate webs the mind weaves in the absence of a definitive history. This introspection seeks to unravel the delicate balance between known truths and the narratives our minds craft, serving as an invitation for viewers to reflect on their own connections, experiences, and the narratives that shape their understanding of the world.

Tell us about a challenge you overcame last year.

My mother passed away a couple of weeks before her 35th birthday. Last year, I turned 35, marking a milestone that brought a flood of contemplation and trepidation. As the years led me toward this birthday, I couldn't help but wonder about the uncharted territory ahead. What will it be like to traverse the vast expanse of time without her presence? How will it feel to reach this "milestone" while navigating the complexities of motherhood myself? What will it be like to outlive her? There's no neatly tied resolution, no comforting words, nor a perfectly wrapped bow to conclude this narrative. It's an ongoing struggle, a complex tapestry of emotions that I continue to grapple with, finding my way through the uncertainty of life without her.

What is your main goal or resolution this year in terms of your art practice?

My primary objective for the year is to spend more time in my practice, experiment more without the fear of immediate perfection, and to finish at least one of the three series I'm actively working on.