Sculpture

While jewelry remains the primary focus of the studio, sculpture provides opportunities to explore polymer clay's potential at larger scales. These works occupy the territory between decorative art and fine art, challenging assumptions about hierarchy in artistic media.

The Chrysalis Series

The Chrysalis sculptures represent Elise Winters' most ambitious explorations of form and meaning. These vessel-like forms suggest transformation, emergence, and the thin boundaries between interior and exterior worlds.

Chrysalis I, II, and III progressively explore the theme, each piece building on discoveries made in its predecessor. The series demonstrates how an idea can unfold through sustained artistic investigation.

The sculptural Chrysalis works employ the same crazed acrylic technique used in jewelry pieces, but at a scale that allows for greater surface complexity. Light plays across these larger forms in dramatic ways impossible at jewelry scale.

Material Possibilities

Polymer clay sculpture occupies a unique position in contemporary craft. Unlike ceramic clay, polymer clay cures at low temperatures and maintains precise detail. Unlike metal, it offers virtually unlimited color possibilities. Unlike glass, it is lightweight and durable.

These properties make polymer clay ideal for sculptural work that prioritizes surface and color over weight and scale. The medium encourages formal experimentation that would be impractical or impossible in traditional sculpture materials.

Collecting Sculpture

Sculptures are available through select galleries and directly from the studio. Given their unique nature, each piece is documented with photographs and provenance information.

Unlike jewelry, which is meant to be worn and handled, sculptures benefit from display consideration. Placement away from direct sunlight and extreme temperature fluctuations ensures long-term preservation.

Commission Work

The studio occasionally accepts commission requests for sculptural work. Commissions allow for collaboration on scale, color palette, and thematic content. Please inquire for details on the commission process and timeline.

The Fine Craft Movement

Elise Winters' sculptural work exists within the broader context of the American fine craft movement, which has worked to establish craft media as legitimate vehicles for serious artistic expression. Museums and collectors increasingly recognize the artistic merit of work in polymer clay and other alternative materials.

The distinction between "art" and "craft" continues to blur as more artists choose materials based on their expressive possibilities rather than their traditional status. Polymer clay sculpture represents this evolution in action. Organizations like the American Craft Council have championed this recognition.