Laura LeBreton

Healing Machines (for Joanne)
handmade abaca paper, beads, found hardware, buttons, waxed linen thread
12 sculptures – size varies

How do people understand what it means to be human? How do we endure contradiction, uncertainty, fear, suffering and loss? How do we celebrate joy and beauty? Over the millennia people have created supernatural spirits in an enormous variety of forms and temperaments to deal with their humanity. Their creative interactions with these spirits are a constant source of inspiration for me.

I create my own versions of spirits and of their artifacts through sculpture with handmade paper. Many of my influences come from popular religious culture: Haitian altars, Indian roadside shrines, 15th century Japanese Buddhas and the simple artifacts sold outside South American cathedrals.

© Laura LeBreton