Whether it is glass, bronze or printmaking, materials matter to interdisciplinary artist Amber Lelli of Nashville.
The studio: Amber Lelli Art is based in Nashville. The artist has studio space in the basement of LeQuire Studio and Gallery, surrounded by remnants of many famous sculptures.
The artist: Born in Queens, New York, Lelli spent her early years in Colorado Springs, CO. Before she started middle school, her family relocated to Nashville.
She earned a BFA in studio art from Middle Tennessee State University, where she majored in sculpture and minored in print making.
After college, she continued learning about materials and sculpture techniques while working at Jonathan Martin Creative, a production and design firm that works with museums, theme parks and films.
Now, in addition to creating her own art, Lelli works as studio manager for Alan LeQuire, the renowned Nashville sculptor.
“Both of these professions expanded my vision of what an artist could be and prepared me for the public art part of my practice,” she said.
The art & materials: Bronze surreal portraiture to innovative marquetry and colorful prints. Also public and commercial art. Key works include:
- Small-scale sculptures in bronze and clay that often incorporate resin, paper, stone and plexiglass.
- Glass heads, using bronze and glass.
- Abstract cylinders of glass and steel.
- Printmaking that includes silkscreen, lithography, etching or letterpress.
What’s popular: The Lexicon series ($150) and the Premise series ($2,000 to $6,000) of small-scale sculptures.
Other favorites: Glass cylinders ($1,600 to $2,400) in various colors.
Inspirations:
- Antique bronze artifacts
- Bronze work on mausoleums
- Conversations with others
- Brutalist architecture
- Constructivism art
- Mid-century Modern
Fun and special commission: Create a two-story, indoor suspended sculpture for the Donelson Branch of the Nashville Public Library. Lelli will be working on this sculpture until 2024.
Recent awards/honors: Fantasy Fountain Fund Award from the National Sculptor Society, NY, 2022.
Where to buy: [email protected]. Select pieces at Modfellows Art Gallery in Nashville.
Get social:
- Instagram: @amberlelliart
- Facebook: Amber Lelli Art
- Linkedin: Amber Lelli
- Website: amberlelli.com
