{"product_id":"1996-lee-lessem-signed-paper-sculpture-seated-woman-artist-authenticated","title":"1996 Lee Lessem Signed Paper Sculpture Seated Woman Artist Authenticated","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAn extraordinary original \u003cstrong\u003e1996 figurative sculpture by artist Lee Lessem\u003c\/strong\u003e, this glamorous seated woman represents a fascinating and now-discontinued chapter of the artist’s career.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSigned and precisely dated \u003cstrong\u003e“Feb ’96,”\u003c\/strong\u003e the sculpture depicts an impossibly elegant woman with dramatically elongated crossed legs, a tiny waist, sweeping posture, sculptural upswept hair, and an elaborate layered costume created from richly textured and patterned papers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe feels almost like a \u003cstrong\u003ecouture fashion illustration brought to life in three dimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer exaggerated proportions are wonderfully intentional. Long graceful limbs extend dramatically from the compact seated figure, while the sharply defined waist, arched torso, sweeping neckline, and monumental coiffure create a silhouette filled with personality and attitude.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe face is deliberately simplified, directing attention instead toward \u003cstrong\u003egesture, fashion, form, and movement\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd although the finished sculpture appears wonderfully effortless, its construction was anything but.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePersonally Authenticated by Lee Lessem\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sculpture carries exceptional firsthand provenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter photographs of the figure were sent directly to \u003cstrong\u003eLee Lessem\u003c\/strong\u003e, the artist personally confirmed its authorship in written correspondence:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“Yes she is one of my sculptures!”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLessem further confirmed that although she remains a practicing artist, she \u003cstrong\u003eno longer produces her paper sculptures\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe described the works as a \u003cstrong\u003e“labour of love”\u003c\/strong\u003e and explained that they most often required \u003cstrong\u003emonths to create\u003c\/strong\u003e, painstakingly constructed from tiny pieces of recycled paper using her own homemade non-toxic glue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat firsthand description makes the remarkable surface of this sculpture especially compelling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than being cast, molded, or commercially produced, the figure was gradually \u003cstrong\u003ebuilt by hand from innumerable small pieces of recycled paper\u003c\/strong\u003e, shaping the extraordinarily long limbs, torso, clothing, hair, and sculptural silhouette piece by piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt approximately \u003cstrong\u003e21 inches high\u003c\/strong\u003e, she has tremendous visual presence yet weighs only \u003cstrong\u003e1.80 pounds\u003c\/strong\u003e—an extraordinary contrast between monumental appearance and humble material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA Discontinued Body of Work\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLee Lessem continues to practice professionally as an artist, primarily through painting, but has personally confirmed that she \u003cstrong\u003eno longer creates these paper sculptures\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis figure therefore belongs to a discontinued area of Lessem’s artistic practice rather than a form currently available from the artist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts \u003cstrong\u003eFebruary 1996\u003c\/strong\u003e date is particularly appealing, placing the sculpture firmly within Lessem’s 1990s period and providing an unusually precise record of when the work was created.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sculpture is both \u003cstrong\u003esigned by the artist and independently authenticated by the artist herself in writing\u003c\/strong\u003e nearly three decades later.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAn Artist with Continuing Contemporary Recognition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLessem’s work continues to reach a significant contemporary design audience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, reproductions of her paintings are offered through major home-design retailers including \u003cstrong\u003eWayfair, AllModern, and Joss \u0026amp; Main\u003c\/strong\u003e, where her abstract compositions appear as framed art and multi-piece wall-art collections. AllModern currently carries numerous Lee Lessem designs and specifically identifies them as reproductions of work by the artist. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat continuing commercial presence creates an especially interesting distinction with this piece: while reproductions of Lessem’s paintings remain available to a broad audience, this sculpture is an \u003cstrong\u003eoriginal, signed, individually hand-built work from a sculptural medium the artist has discontinued\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is not a print, reproduction, or licensed decorative object.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is an \u003cstrong\u003eoriginal Lee Lessem sculpture created by the artist’s own hands in 1996\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eExtraordinary Sculptural Presence\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe figure rewards viewing from every angle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the front, the tremendously elongated crossed legs create an elegant sweeping diagonal, while the layered bodice and dramatic hair frame the diminutive torso.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the side, her arched back, tiny waist, projecting knees, and cascading costume give the sculpture an almost animated quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eViewed from behind, the intricate handmade construction becomes especially apparent in the layered clothing, individually formed hair, waist, shoulders, and overlapping paper surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe palette combines \u003cstrong\u003eivory, cream, black, gray, taupe, metallic tones, and richly patterned paper\u003c\/strong\u003e, giving the costume the appearance of an eccentric couture ensemble fashioned from unexpected materials.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is something unmistakably \u003cstrong\u003e1990s fashion-editorial\u003c\/strong\u003e about her elongated silhouette, yet the handmade recycled-paper construction gives the piece an appealingly tactile studio-art quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe is glamorous without being precious.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSophisticated without being restrained.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElegant, eccentric, theatrical, and completely unforgettable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Eclectic Whimsy, she is almost a manifesto in object form: \u003cstrong\u003eart, fashion, craftsmanship, femininity, whimsy, theatricality, and provenance\u003c\/strong\u003e all combined in one extraordinary sculpture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe would be spectacular displayed on a console, pedestal, cocktail cabinet, dressing table, substantial bookshelf, or within a collected interior where her elongated profile can be appreciated from multiple viewpoints.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect for \u003cstrong\u003ecollected maximalist, Hollywood Regency, Postmodern, fashion-inspired, theatrical, contemporary eclectic, studio-art, and art-filled interiors\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lee Lessem\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubject:\u003c\/strong\u003e Seated female figure\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e February 1996\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1990s\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMedium:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hand-built recycled paper with homemade non-toxic adhesive and mixed-media decorative papers\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Figurative \/ Fashion-Inspired \/ Mixed Media \/ Studio Art \/ 1990s\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColors:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ivory, cream, black, gray, taupe, metallic tones, patterned paper\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approx. 21\" H × 9\" W × 18\" D from seated position\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approx. 1.80 lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Signed by Lee Lessem and dated “Feb ’96”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthentication:\u003c\/strong\u003e Personally confirmed as an original Lee Lessem sculpture by the artist in written correspondence with the present owners\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist Correspondence:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lee Lessem confirmed that she no longer produces paper sculptures and explained that the works often took months to construct from tiny pieces of recycled paper and homemade non-toxic glue\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original art sculpture \/ figurative sculpture \/ collectible studio art \/ decorative art object\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eArtist Authentication \u0026amp; Provenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten correspondence from \u003cstrong\u003eLee Lessem\u003c\/strong\u003e confirming the authorship of this sculpture has been retained by the present owners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA copy of the correspondence may accompany the sculpture with private contact information redacted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe correspondence provides unusually strong provenance for a vintage studio work by establishing both the \u003cstrong\u003eartist’s authorship and her original construction method\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery good vintage condition consistent with an entirely handmade and inherently delicate paper sculpture dating to 1996.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe figure retains her dramatic elongated silhouette, crossed legs, sculptural coiffure, layered costume, and wonderfully textured surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause the sculpture was constructed by hand from numerous tiny pieces of recycled paper, natural joins, folds, layered edges, creases, textural variation, and irregularities are inherent to the artist’s working method and are part of the character of the piece rather than evidence of mass production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLight age-related surface wear may be present along projecting areas, folds, edges, and contact points. No major structural damage is apparent from the photographs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe artist’s signature and \u003cstrong\u003eFebruary 1996 date\u003c\/strong\u003e remain visible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA remarkable opportunity to acquire a \u003cstrong\u003esigned, dated, and artist-authenticated original Lee Lessem sculpture from 1996\u003c\/strong\u003e—painstakingly created over months from humble recycled materials and representing a sculptural medium the artist has since discontinued.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFashion illustration transformed into sculpture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGlamorous, eccentric, labor-intensive, and gloriously theatrical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWonderfully \u003cstrong\u003eEclectic Whimsy\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Eclectic Whimsy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54546095079734,"sku":"HO1234","price":2195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0896\/9155\/4102\/files\/lee_lessem_lady_sculpture.png?v=1789151001","url":"https:\/\/eclecticwhimsydecor.com\/products\/1996-lee-lessem-signed-paper-sculpture-seated-woman-artist-authenticated","provider":"Eclectic Whimsy Decor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}