Lin Lisberger
“I am predominantly a wood carver and have been for most of my sculpture career. Over time my sculptures have echoed many images, but have always resonated with the attributes of wood. Each sculpture is a sketch of a moment in time and space and the life of the tree. My sculptures are carved directly from whole or laminated healthy native wood, (as locally harvested as possible) or are constructed from carved parts. I carve with gouges and a drawshave, as well as with a chain saw, depending on the desired surface and quality of image. My attention to form has been consistent, describing both object and space, and thus creating a foundation upon which a narrative can be built. I use narrative, both subtly and overtly, to emphasize my interest in humans and their relationships. The act of the hand in carving seems to enrich the voice of the storyteller—creating images to evoke personal thoughts and memories for each viewer.
My sculpture has come in and out of the overtly political over the years. Right now it is hard for me to avoid commenting in some way, which I am doing with the series, Who’s the Victim?. Making the sculpture allows me to both escape and engage, whether it has political content or not.
Who’s the Victim? accepts that there is not necessarily right or wrong, but relative perceptions by different individuals. In this divided and angry time I have come to realize that everyone feels victimized even when their ‘opponents’ don’t view it that way. In fact, we all seem to feel that we are the victims. The question, ‘Who’s the victim?’ is important to encourage us all to find common ground.
The juxtaposition between the Who’s the Victim? series and the Ladder and Bridge sculptures is one of public vs. private, and escape vs. cacophony. Ladders suggest movement through space and endless possibilities. These pieces together reflect our turbulent times and our fortunate ability to escape grow, and change.” - Lin Lisberger
Education
BA in Literature, University of California at Santa Cruz
Additional course work, University of Southern Maine, Philadelphia College of Art
MFA, University of Pennsylvania
Residencies & Awards
2015 - Hewnoaks Artist Colony, Lovell, ME
2014 - Hambidge Center for Creative Arts, Rabun Gap, GA
2000 - Fulbright Scholar finalist
1995 - Morse High School, Bath, ME; sculpture residency
1994 - Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts, Edgecomb. ME
Collections
Special Collections, USM Center for Book Arts, Portland ME
118 On Munjoy Hill, Portland, ME
Hambidge Center for Creative Arts and Sciences, Rabun Gap, GA
Meditech, Westwood, MA
Trillium Asset Management, Boston, MA
Radford University, Radford, VA
Percent for Art, Songo Locks School, Naples, ME
Percent for Art, Saccarappa School, Westbrook, ME
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2020 - Gravity, Cove Street Arts, Portland, Maine
2017 - The Space Between, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
2014 - Vessels, Maine Jewish Museum, Portland, ME
2013 - Un-Knotting, 3fish Gallery, Portland, ME
2011 - Knots and Strings, 3fish Gallery, Portland, ME
Selected Group Exhibitions
2020 - Flight, Cove Street Arts, Portland, Maine
Mixing it Up!, Maine Jewish Museum2019 - ON BOOKS: Sculpture, Lewis Gallery, Portland Public Library, Portland, ME
2017 - Traverse/Texture, Chazen Gallery at Wheeler, Providence, RI
2016 - The Portland Show, Greenhut Galleries, Portland, ME
2015 - Art in the Park 2015, Elm Park, Worcester, MA
2014 - Sticks and Stones, Common Street Gallery, Waterville, ME
2013 - Prints: Breaking Boundaries, CMCA at Portland Public Library, Portland, ME
2012 - On the Wing, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay, ME, and Maine Audubon Society, Falmouth, ME
