Iris Schieferstein

About

The Bone of Contention - human incarnation represents the shedding of all that is animal, followed by the separation into genders. After the Fall of Man, the snake represents the desire that inserts itself between reason and sensuality. A never-ending drama, called to mind in Iris Schieferstein's newest assemblage, a spatial installation. A dissected snake winds its way from the ceiling around a feminine, plaster-cast arm. Its hand is reaching for an outstretched leg, surrounded by male phalli, mouths, bones and skulls. Iris Schieferstein creates unique beings — chimeras from the interim between earth, heaven and hell. Her legend brings together animal and fairy-tale worlds, it touches on religious and political world views, and often mulls over the social role and erotic essence of modern women. By shaping her assemblages and sculptures partly from dead animals, and conveying them mummy-like to the immortality of fine art, she occasionally encounters media crossfire. The reception of her work tends to waver between fascination - and the creeps.