Barbara Fletcher

Albert Einstein once wrote, “Look deep into nature and you will understand everything”. I look at nature and see much symbolism and metaphor for what is happening in the world today. My artwork focuses on the chaos, mystery and whimsey in nature. The whimsey is sometimes dark, sometimes not but always points to the foibles of human nature. Nature is innately smarter than man. My ever-evolving artwork has become more political and narrative driven and explores some of these ideas and more.

Always interested in utilizing new materials for my mixed media work, I incorporate hard and soft materials such as paper, clay, wire, foam, found objects, natural materials and recently cut aluminum. I am not attracted to abstraction so always work with the human and animal form.

Five years ago I took on a new challenge as a proposal for a temporary outdoor installation through the group Studios Without Walls was accepted and installed for three months along the Riverway in Boston.

Now I divide my time between outdoor installation which can reach a larger audience and juried national shows at various indoor venues.

I have won sculpture awards at The Concord Art Association, Duxbury Art Museum Complex, Marblehead Art Association National Variations show and the National Association of Women Artists. Residing in Boston for thirty years I have taught workshops in papermaking, 3D paper and 3D books for children in afterschool programs as well as adults. My work has been included in a number of published books on paper art, collected widely including famed writer Stephen King and showcased in public venues such as Newton Wellesley Hospital and Boston Childrens Hospital. I hold a BFA from Syracuse University in Commercial Art.