JAMIE SPINELLO

I create abstract botanical and insect inspired sculptures in paper, plastic, glass, silver, and aluminum. I am informed by the underlying geometries and structures of plants and insects that facilitate reproduction and growth. I am fascinated by the mechanisms utilized by plants to unfold new leaves, open flowers, and disperse seeds as well as how insects unfold their wings and contort their segmented bodies. I seek to express these mechanisms in my sculptures.

​The scale of my sculptures range from small scale jewelry works only centimeters wide to small paper and plastic maquettes measuring several inches in size all the way up to larger free-standing sculptures in aluminum which require the viewer to experience them from all angles.
​
My current body of work focuses primarily on native plants growing in open green spaces around my home and in my garden.  Through experiencing my work, I aim to spark curiosity about the wild native plants that viewers might have growing in their own back yards and perhaps inspire more people to add native plants to their home gardens.

All of my glass, silver, and bronze pieces are created through contemporary methods of the ancient art of lost wax casting. I experiment with the tolerances of casting glass and metal to capture the intricacies of plant forms. For my larger works, I use modern technology after working out the forms through drawings and creating hand cut maquettes, to calculate and fine-tune every part and how they will come together in metal. I then cut, form and assemble all parts by hand using rivets and bolts.

I aim to elevate the appreciation of native plants and insects through creating wearable art that people can enjoy daily through adornment and sculptures that can be encountered in public settings and experienced on a larger scale.