Vivian Visser
Artist Statement

If we wrap our naked souls in the raw and mysterious power of nature, taking refuge, we would leave personal artifacts, vessels with the voice of nature.

I see the shelter form as embodying the souls desire to retreat into a comforting and protective environment. The human experience is explored through natural materials which bring the viewer away from the controlled man made world and into the raw and mysterious realm of Nature where I believe we are vulnerable and the most real.

Bio

I grew up amongst the trees of western Michigan, leaving to go to Detroit for art school. The lack
of contact with Nature left me with an undefinable sense of loss. I filled that void with sculpture
made of natural materials, discovering the power of a reconnection with Nature.

I have been exploring our spiritual relationship with Nature since the early ‘90’s. With works in
national shows like Sculpted Green in Bellevue Washington and local exhibits such as Cool
Globes - Hot Ideas for a Cooler planet, I have attempted to spread my ideas about our need to
create a better relationship with Nature as a way to find peace within ourselves and each other.
Most recently, I have been commissioned to create an interpretive sculpture for the Openlands
Lakeshore Preserve.

To create tangible change, I volunteer with many of Chicago’s environmental groups such as
Treekeepers, Audubon Society, Sierra Club, North Park Village Nature Center, and Lincoln Park
Conservancy through restoration work, tree audits and monitoring.

www.vivianvisser.com