Dameon Lester
January 8 - February 27, 2011
Reception: January 8, 6-9pm

Press Release
Image/Price List
Process Video

Unnatural Process presents some of Dameon Lester's newest sculptural work in conjunction with the most recent evolution of his sculptural drawings. Using long strands of metal and felt, Lester meticulously knits biomorphic forms that evoke images of nature with a sometimes endearing and sometimes uneasy twist. The accompanying drawings are translations of these forms laser etched into felt mounted on panels. Many processes come together in the creation of these pieces including the manufacturing of natural materials which culminates in the various processes the artist uses to finalize the form. Felt and metal were some of the first and most important materials to be manipulated by man and Lester takes an unusual approach to them by using various methods which are at opposite ends of the technological spectrum. These vary from labor intensive hand knitting to the machine generated, thereby accentuating this relationship between the natural and man-made. This contrast of the laboring of the hand and the use of mechanized methods of production scratches at a theme that underlies all of Lester's work: the human disconnect with nature and thereby ourselves.

Lester is a Long Beach based artist working primarily in sculpture.  During the last 15 years he has traveled internationally in his studies and exhibited work in numerous galleries across the US. He received his BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University, in sculpture, where he studied abroad at Loughborough College of Art and Design in the UK and Technikon Natal in South Africa. He received his MFA from the University of Nevada in 2000.