Artist Gina Lee Robbins loves working with items that would otherwise end up in the landfill.
Her latest exhibit, “False Starts,” opens Friday, Jan. 16, at Storage Space Gallery.
She created sculptures using objects she found like thrifted clothes, window screens, a garden hose, doll hair, ceramic pieces, bullet casings, chair legs, tarp and stove wire.
Lee Robbins is a teaching artist and works with veterans and K-12 students through Arts for Learning Indiana, Indy Arts Center and Arts with a Purpose.
The idea for the new exhibit came to her when an artist-friend who was downsizing gave her some leftover pâpier-maché and a piece of pig gut.
“I don’t like to purchase new materials,” Lee Robbins said.
She found a lot of the items on the side of the road, in Goodwill bins, estate sales, along Eagle Creek and on the Monon Trail.
It may be hard to understand what the sculptures are. But that’s the point. Lee Robbins, 58, isn’t usually aiming for anything when she’s creating her art.
But the fact that she grew up in a home of surgeons may subconsciously come out in her work, she said. One sculpture takes the shape of a human heart.
Lee Robbins, who is from Chicago, returned to the 9-mm bullet casings she had used in a previous art exhibition exploring the stories of Chicago-area residents killed by police. In one of her new sculptures on display, “Armed,” she attached the bullets to the inside of a metal fuel funnel and filled a baby shoe.
Another sculpture, “Swan Song,” reminded her of time as a ballet dancer. The form and color of the voluminous wool circular pieces were inspired by ballet pink.
She said she works until a project feels complete. All the work in “False Starts” was created over three years, with the bulk of the sculptures completed within the last year.
Lee Robbins doesn’t want you to just view her art. She will also have a “false starts” table at the exhibit, where visitors can leave projects they have started and others can pick up where they left off.
“I thought this would be a really great thing to do at the beginning of the year and jumpstart inspiration and collaboration,” Lee Robbins said.
Lee Robbins and Brent Lehker, co-founder of Storage Space Gallery, are planning a follow-up exhibition to display the works created by artists using materials from the swap table.
Storage Space Gallery isn’t a traditional gallery. The exhibits happen in a garage next to Lekher’s home.
In addition to “False Starts,” guests can view “Closing the Loop,” featuring the works of three budding artists: Lily Groot, Anisha Thiel and Lizzie Bilbrey.
If you go
“False Starts” and “Closing the Loop” opening reception
🗓️ 6-10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, Jan. 16-Feb. 7
📍 Storage Space Gallery, 121 E. 34th St.
🎟️ Free
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Mirror Indy reporter Mesgana Waiss covers arts and culture. Contact her at 317-667-2643 or mesgana.waiss@mirrorindy.org.
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