by Anne Aaker
Artist Leslie Iwai’s sculptures and compositions are grounded in her education in mathematics, chemistry and architecture. She is one of ten artists contributing to the CSArt shares this year.
CSArt shares are available for purchase here. For just $300, you receive 10 unique pieces of art handcrafted by local artists. Half shares are also available. CSArt shares have been called the best value in Wisconsin, and they're a great way to support local artists.
ALL Review: How would you describe what you do?
Leslie Iwai: I like to bring to life/light connections between separate concepts by merging opposites. This occurs through mixing media or techniques in creation, as well as involving some form of viewer interaction. I primarily work three-dimensionally; however, I really enjoy drawing my work as a way of “getting to know it.”
ALL: How did you become an artist?
Leslie Iwai: That is a long story, but in brief: I’ve loved making things since my earliest memories, but did not see it as a part of my future. I have always been good with the sciences and at first studied mathematics and chemistry. During undergrad, I was also taking art history, music history, and philosophy, and this fueled my desire and love of connections in form, concept and human relationships. After undergrad I got my Masters of Architecture degree and discovered a deep joy in design and working closely with materials and concepts. In the years after grad school, I found that my path kept turning towards the conceptual and more immediate medium of art-making.
ALL: Tell us about your creative process—what gets your creativity flowing? Are there certain points of inspiration you return to?
Leslie Iwai: My process is more like a series of connections. I think of it as finding a constellation that forms from seemingly independent points of light. Those points could be of a material, narrative, scientific discovery, and/or meditation. I also tend to process verbally, so conversations help me shape those connections into a form and framework from which to jump. Additionally, I enjoy digging deep into etymological research—I find that there are roots to words that open up whole new realms of possibility and inspiration for me.
ALL: What was the appeal of CSArt for you? What made you want to get involved with the program?
Leslie Iwai: I had seen that other cities were adopting the model and fellow artists in those cities were experiencing encouragement for their own practices. I had hoped that an arts entity would pick it up in Madison, and I was thrilled when I saw ALL launch CSArt Madison. Bringing a taste of local art to our community that is specifically Madison is very grassroots, and that appeals to me as someone who believes in the importance of supporting and cherishing the talent in our community. This also helps people start collecting art at a very accessible level. I hope CSArt Madison primes our community to further support the very talented artists in our community.