Today we’d like to introduce you to Lea Barone.
Lea, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always had a love for clothing and fashion. Growing up, I would design my own costumes out of whatever I could find (blankets, pillows, random objects). For as long as I can remember I have had a need to create. Through every major life event, every trauma, and every success – there is art behind it that I have made.
Something I am very passionate about is women’s rights and sexual assault awareness. This is due to my own experiences and countless other experiences from women who are close to me, and women who I don’t even know.
My most recent project, “Her Body” was a small collection of works that tells the story of victims of childhood SA, and the ugly but invisible trauma many women carry throughout their lives.
I was very inspired by Mike Kelley’s “Deodorized Central Mass with Satellites”, which I had to opportunity to see on display at the MOMA with my class. The piece is otherworldly, floating orbs of stuffed animal bodies in gradating colors. I remember feeling so small and so lonely in such a colorful vibrant room. It was the exact feeling that I’ve felt countless times – this unexplainable, heavy, loneliness. How could a bubbly room of rainbows and plush make me feel this way? I remember thinking “this is how I want my art to feel”.
I wanted to experiment with stuffed animals as a medium after seeing this installment, which led me to creating my first wearable sculpture; a pair of giant rainbow stuffed animal pants. These pants were a turning point for me, and helped me to understand my personal style and who I wanted to be as an artist.
It wasn’t until I looked into myself for inspiration for my senior showcase that I connected my new sculptural clothing style to a bigger picture.
Similarly to Mike Kelley, I used the stuffed animals as a physical depiction of trauma and memory – but I combined this with feminine products, and sexual objects, creating a bridge between childhood trauma and sexuality.
My work has been displayed in my BFA show, and also the show “New Myths and Archetypes, Finding the Story” which was shown at the Marlin Gallery in Blackwood, New Jersey.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not. For most of my education, I did not know who I was as an artist. Not only this, but I experienced homelessness and housing/financial insecurity while attending college. Most days, I was focused on keeping my head above water.
This time in my life shaped me. I am not who I was before, and I believe that the tone of my artwork reflects my experiences. Grappling with depression, trying to support myself financially, maintain my relationships, find myself artistically, navigate anxiety and depression – all while trying to just enjoy being a college kid. I spent hours of my time in the art studio working – often forfeiting sleep, food, really just life in general. I needed to create, like I always have, and I truly believe it is this need for expression that carried me through.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in sculpture and wearable sculptures – but I also work in many other mediums as well.
I’m most proud of my most recent project – “Her Body” which consists of a coat titled “Dirty Laundry” made from stuffed animals, fur, hair, lingerie and feminine products, a suspended sculpture titled “Amalgamated”, a tumorous wedding gown titled “Gut” and various concept sketches.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories is my “invention book” It was a small red book with a red bookmark. This book was like magic to me. My dad gave it to me as a place to write my ideas. Together we would dream and fill the pages with things like robotic fish tanks and humanoid ducks. Whatever I was obsessed with at the time went in that book.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://leabarone.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leabaronearts
