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Lesley Bodzy's new body of work summons fantastical deep-sea creatures from the depths of our existential abyss. In ancient Greek philosophy, the concept of the abyss was often linked to the primordial chaos from which the cosmos emerged. A formless, infinite and dark expanse, representing both the origin and the potential for all existence. Kierkegaard spoke of the 'leap of faith' required to confront the abyss of uncertainty and despair inherent in human existence. Nietzsche famously warned that 'if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you, ' suggesting a confrontation with the void could lead to a profound transformation. The abyss, in this sense, represents the endless play of signification and the inherent instability of language and identity from which the enigmatic and yet thoroughly beautiful creatures crafted by Bodzy emerge. Conflating influences from the early biomorphic explorations of surrealism with the material experimentations of 1960s and 70s late modern pioneers like Lynda Benglis, Marisa Merz, and Heidi Bucher, among others, Bodzy explores the creative potential of a visceral material sensuality that engages both the viewer's tactile imagination and physical presence. In Bodzy's work, surface, texture, and form are not merely visual elements but experiences that engage the viewer's sense of touch, bodily presence, and emotional response. Her manipulation of materials generates ambiguous and evocative objects that provoke, seduce, and challenge the viewer, highlighting the layered, complex nature of physical and emotional intimacy.
