A new body of work by still life master Leslie Lewis Sigler will be spotlighted during an upcoming solo show at George Billis Gallery. Past Liveswill include works from Sigler’s ongoing series of antiques and heirloom objects placed against pure white backdrops. Every object that Sigler paints is imbued with its own personal story—a blend of visual beauty and unspoken histories.
The Upbringer, oil on panel, 20 x 16 in.
“When I’m searching for these objects, then drawing and painting their portraits, I imagine what kind of life they have had before they arrived in my possession. Sometimes I know their stories, but more often than not, I don’t,” she says. “Their condition, detail, form and function are clues to their past lives and transform an otherwise functional object into something rich with history and artistic beauty, with the power to reflect our own life stories and family histories in the process.”
Silver Fork 86, The Bleeding Heart, oil on panel, 12 x 5 in.
Often, Sigler captures the shiny, reflective forms of silverware, an impressive feat that almost fools the viewer into thinking these may be photographs. But the sense of heart and soul in her work transcends anything a mere photo could capture. “Heirloom objects such as flatware and vessels intrigue me because they seem to have an eternal life,” says the artist. “Such items pass through family generations as cherished heirlooms, survive the purgatory of antique markets, or perhaps find new life at estate sales. As their stories evolve, they form a lineage that connects us to one another, across generations and geographies. The term ‘past lives’ refers to the belief that a person’s soul or consciousness has lived previously in different bodies, a concept often associated with reincarnation. It suggests that connections between people, even seemingly random encounters, can be attributed to shared experiences in previous lifetimes.”
Silver Pair 65, The Graduate and the Retiree, oil on panel, 12 x 5 in.
An opening reception for Past Lives takes place on Thursday, October 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. at George Billis Gallery’s brand new location in New York City. The show, the first at the new gallery, will hang from October 28 to November 29. Sigler will also be having a small “pocket show” in early October featuring her cookie cutter paintings at Billis/Williams Gallery in Los Angeles, California. —
The Dinner Party, oil on panel, 20 x 16 in.
George Billis Gallery 122 Norfolk Street • New York, NY 10002 • (917) 273-8621 • www.georgebillis.com
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