Stripped

I was tasked to use found objects for a sculpture, so I naturally took a trip to my toy box and dug up some of my old treasures. For me, this piece is more about the process than the final product. As I grow older, I feel like I move farther and farther away from the version of me that feels the safest. None of my college friends knew little Lynsey, but she feels like my very favorite and best friend. She is always a part of me, but it feels as though the twists and turns of life strip her away from me. My mom always talks about the day I told her I could no longer wear bows in my hair because I was too big. Growing up feels like that. It feels like the young, free-spirited, anxious little girl that I love and want to protect is telling me I am too big for her now. She’s telling me it is time to grow up, that I have to stop wearing bows in my hair.

After locating my old toys, I stripped the color from them using nail polish remover, sandpaper, mineral spirits, metal grinders, and anything else I thought might help. I said goodbye to the essence of the toy I once cherished and displayed them as a sort of memorial.

Repurposed toys (2023)

40” x 21” x 21”