Leslie Lewis Sigler

In this collection of paintings, part of an ongoing series entitled Relatives, I explore family objects as “families” of objects—individual silver heirlooms that are related to one another in a single collection and, collectively, to the individual families that put them into domestic practice and social circulation. 

Silver family heirlooms, such as flatware and vessels, intrigue me because they seem to have an eternal life: although they may tarnish and age beyond recognition, polishing them quickly returns their original luster. Such items pass through family generations as cherished heirlooms, survive the purgatory of antique markets, or perhaps find new life at estate sales. As their stories evolve, they form a lineage that connects us to one another, across generations and geographies.

By composing portraits of these objects—individually and as pairs— I explore the character evident in their inherent design and ever-changing patina. Each singular object’s form, condition, polish, and character transform an otherwise functional object into something rich with history and artistic beauty, with the power to reflect our own life stories and family histories in the process. – Leslie Lewis Sigler

Leslie Lewis Sigler received her BFA from the University of Texas, Austin. She is a contemporary painter whose work has been exhibited throughout the United States and appears in numerous private collections. Her paintings have been published in American Art Collector, Content magazine, Texas Monthly, and UPPERCASE magazine, among others.