Leslie Lewis Sigler
Leslie Lewis Sigler
Leslie Lewis Sigler (b. 1983) is a contemporary painter whose still life renditions of silver and copper heirlooms capture the enduring beauty and profound depth of these transcendent domestic objects, reflecting individual and collective histories, telling stories of the legacy of personal and familial ties. The seed for her work was planted when for her birthday Sigler’s grandmother began gifting her one piece at a time from a family silverware collection. Born and raised in San Marcos, Texas, Sigler earned a BFA from the University of Texas, Austin in 2006. Her work has been exhibited and collected nationally in group and solo shows. Sigler has also been featured in several publications, including Texas Monthly and American Art Collector. She lives and works in Soquel, California.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Leslie Lewis Sigler explores family objects as “families” of objects—individual silver heirlooms that are related to one another in a single collection and, collectively, to the individual families that put them into domestic practice and social circulation. She’s interested in the histories and lifespans of these objects, their ability to reflect our own personal life stories and family histories, and the way they continue to connect us to one another in time and space.
Silver family heirlooms, such as flatware and vessels, intrigue Sigler because they seem to have an eternal life: although they may tarnish and age beyond recognition, polishing them quickly returns their original luster. 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.
By composing portraits of these silver objects, Sigler explores the character evident in their inherent design and ever-changing patina. Each singular object’s form, condition, polish and character 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.
