Emma Zuercher

Artist Statement

I am curious about my surroundings and captivated by objects that are often discarded or overlooked: grasses growing in a ditch, wire hiding in a pile of scrap metal, string pulled apart by the wind. I imagine each artifact’s past life and reflect on the impact we have on one another as we inhabit the same space, even if only for a moment. Through careful foraging and assemblage, I expand them into works of wonder and connection.

I shape my material’s outline with a band saw, spiral it with a vice, or weave its blades together to create its next memory that highlights movement in the ecosystems of the watershed I live in. These sculptures often reside outdoors, allowing persistent conversation with their surroundings.

By centering materials and the locale, my work sparks curiosity. It invites viewers into a dialogue with their surroundings just like the reimagined objects I transform into sculptures.