Leslie Zelamsky

My work exists at the intersection of sculpture and painting, transforming conventional building materials—wood, shims, and shakes—into highly structured forms. These architectural elements, typically hidden within walls and under roofs, become the visible medium through which I express my artistic vision. Through an intentional and intuitive process, I create rhythmic patterns and organic shapes. Squares, rectangles, and lines dance across each piece, while recesses and protrusions emerge between contoured surfaces. I saw, stack, glue, nail, and grind repetitiously—constructing and deconstructing until resolution emerges. This process is simultaneously additive, reductive, and intuitive. The laborious, meditative nature of my practice is integral to the work’s meaning. My repetitive actions reflect internal thought patterns as I dwell in the moment. This process of constructing and deconstructing symbolizes the act of leaving something behind to discover something new. As I add and remove material, I remain fully present, seeking the perfect balance between spontaneity and intention. This iterative cycle of thinking, removing, adding, and refining mirrors the journey of personal growth and desire for self-improvement. Shims, wood, nails, and color all contribute to themes of balance and internal exploration. Each element reinforces the overall solidity and coherence of the work, reflecting the intricate process of building and dwelling within oneself. When used for construction, shims bring structures into balance while shakes are used to insulate and protect. In my work, they symbolize the process of dwelling—creating a home within oneself through repeated internal reflection. My art becomes an homage to self-discovery and the pursuit of balance and strength. I honor the intrinsic qualities of shakes and shims—particularly their tapered profile—using them to create curves and lines that respect both structural integrity and organic flow. This establishes a dynamic tension between artistic intention and material properties throughout my work. Though color is minimal, painterly sensibilities pervade each piece. My deliberately limited palette includes paint, oil sticks, charcoal, and stains applied in transparent layers that penetrate the wood. My grinder serves as an essential drawing tool, simultaneously obscuring and revealing previous layers. High-speed grinding on end-grains creates distinctive dark marks reminiscent of burnt umber, while material edges converge to accentuate one another. Drawing inspiration from architecture, I explore dwelling both as physical space and conscious presence. The very materials that create homes become my medium, speaking to notions of comfort and security while examining concepts of separation, inclusion, and isolation reflected in everyday structures. My sculptures contemplate what it means to build a home—physically and mentally—piece by piece, row by row. The resulting works embody the act of dwelling within oneself while constructing external spaces that ground us in place and time.