Libby Sipe
Multidisciplinary Artist based in Southern Maine
ABOUT
Libby Sipe (b. 1987, Ohio) is a process-driven multidisciplinary artist pursuing a space for experimentation and exploration as she blurs the lines between painting and sculpture. Libby uses various tools to shape, mold, drip, and pipe paint into multiple shapes and textures to build depth and bring character to her works. Using a combination of paint skins made from acrylic polymer emulsion draped over foam and wire armatures embellished with an array of materials that include but are not limited to pigment dispersion's, aggregate, ultralight, glass balls, semi-precious stones, oils, textiles, and found objects. Her work encompasses her experiences with poverty, child abuse, and sexual trauma.
The artist has participated in exhibitions at the Waterfall Arts and Lights Out Gallery in Maine, Bridgette Mayer Gallery of Philadelphia, and the global art platform - Women United Art Movement, and Visual Arts Scotland. She is featured in the upcoming 100 Emerging Artists of 2024 Women's Edition through Arts for Hearts Project, and the upcoming fall issue of the London based Art Seen Magazine. Her work was recently reviewed by Karle Woods of Lights Out Gallery and Al Crichton of The Free Press. Sipe currently resides in Southern Maine.
ARTIST STATEMENT
My work represents my playful and resilient spirit that has carried me through profound and challenging moments of my life. I push and pull materials to manipulate them into familiar and unfamiliar shapes, yet they are completely synthetic. I break the rules of painting because I am enchanted with the idea of something like paint being able to stand without the aid of a traditional substrate. My process is a reminder of my own fragility. But unlike fine china, I will not break. I may wilt, or fold over with sorrow. Cracks may form, and I may feel like I'm sliding off the wall. But even when crumpled, the paint skin will not shatter. It will sit for a time, full of wrinkles, until it slowly unfurls and changes shape. This ritual of crumpling, tearing, and sewing symbolizes my journey towards self reliance and empowerment. Although my work comes from a place of struggle where I live with my memories of childhood abuse, poverty, and sexual trauma, I have a need to evoke my sense of humor and my joy I find in expressing myself through the manipulation and transformation of my many chosen materials. My work is a celebration of life. It's full of color, joy, frustration, sadness, and anger. It holds representations of the natural world, where I honor my spirituality and find solace and refuge. Yet it simultaneously represents my struggles as I slowly reconstruct myself in an image that I can celebrate.
Emotion is to be honored in my work. No matter the type, or root cause, it's a symbol of living a full and beautiful life. This is the primary goal in everything I do. Through my practice, I aspire to inspire hope—not only for myself but for those who engage with my creations. Each artwork is a testament to the possibility of healing and transformation, inviting viewers to embrace life's richness and complexity.
Website: https://libbysipe.com/
Instagram: @libbysipestudio