Sophia Ruppert | LUX Center for the Arts | Art Gallery, Classes, Summer Camps & Outreach
 

Sophia Ruppert

Sophia Ruppert

Artist
Profile Location
Lincoln , NE
Biography

EDUCATION

2017- Present      University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska.
MFA, Studio Art, Sculpture emphasis, in progress
Scheduled Degree Completion, May 2020

2016                    Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Illinois.
BFA, Studio Art, Sculpture
BA, Art History 

Artist Statement

“In the process of being broken open, worn down, and reshaped, 

               an uncommon tranquility can follow.     

               Our undoing is also our becoming.”

                 –Terry Tempest Williams

 

Life leaves behind physical and mental residue. Some of these remnants are precious while others are tragic. Regardless of its origin, this residue can be made beautiful. Remnants of the materials and objects that surround us chronicle our history as complex individuals. My sculptures investigate my own physical and mental residue to dissect and examine my personal history.

To reach the rare serenity I search for, I unravel experiences that are residually prominent in my memories. Of particular importance are events and objects that have shaped my perception of self.

     stories told by my grandmothers  

        a dysfunctional family dynamic

           objects that provide visual touchstones to my childhood

 

These experiential fragments and memories are a testimony of personal description. My work attempts to calm the dissonance of these memories and share the resulting narrative. Ultimately, my work describes self, history, and a personal theology in transformation. This theology allows me to create beauty in spite of trauma.

Each material I use is carefully considered and manipulated. By selecting discarded materials that are worn and weathered or that contain a rich visual association, the core of my work contains an embedded but indirect history. Objects whisper.

     a scrap of stained lace

        fragments of a chandelier

           an item that is completely unrecognizable

 

I analyze these whispering objects and decide if they should be lovingly preserved or thoughtfully dissected and reshaped. One method is a contemplative collection. The other is a rebirth. Both methods draw out the stories embedded within.

Central to the preservation or dissection in my work is the metaphoric act of sewing. This craft process harkens back to the traditional idea that women are preservers who mend all that is broken.  Rather than the gendered practice of sewing for domestic use, however, I reclaim the act of sewing to recontextualize my experiences. I mend what is torn and tear what needs to be free. By creating from destruction, I am piecing together a complex but beautiful history.

Medium
Sculpture
Mixed Media
 
 

Exhibitions Featuring this Artist

Katie Bosley
Lindsey Day
Amanda Durig
G.V. Kelley
Elise Loomis
Sophia Ruppert
Maria Spiess
Jun
01
6/1/20 to 7/11/20
Multiple Mediums
Sophia Ruppert
Aug
07
8/7/20 to 8/28/20
Multiple Mediums
Jim Aden
Liana Agnew
Joel Anderson
Mark Arnold
Michael Ashley
Posey Bacopoulos
Shawn Teseo Ballarin
Green Bee
Jessica Brandl
Wes Brown
Matt Bukrey
Larry Buller
Donna Burdic
Anne Burton
Elaine Buss
Jen Carlson
Neil Celani
Austin Coudriet
Drew Curtright
Lindsey Day
Amanda Durig
Adrienne Eliades
Paul Eshelman
Katelyn Farneth
Lynette Fast
Anna Gadek
PJ Hargraves
Mark Hargraves
Sarah Jentsch
Kyle Johns
G.V. Kelley
Josh Knutson
Mary Koziol
Brad Krieger
Louis LaBudda
Lynn Latta
Clay Leonard
Sam Loeffler
Carol Long
Anika Major
Susan McGilvrey
Tom Meyers
Catie Miller
Katie Nieland
Kyle Nobles
Samantha Oliver
Sarah Olsen
Cathy Patterson
Christy Puetz
Brittany Rea
Sarah Rowe
Sophia Ruppert
Erin Ryan
Agnes Seebass
Sarah Shoot
José Sierra
Sarah Smelser
Shannon Smith
Maria Spiess
Susan Stark-Johnson
Evan Stoler
Patty Talbert
Harry Tompkin
Tara Tonsor
April White
Tara Dawley
Nov
06
11/6/20 to 12/30/20
Multiple Mediums

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