Natale Adgnot

I use abstract sculpture to explore bias and faulty perception as byproducts of a monocultural upbringing. At its core, my practice is a dismantling of the dogma of my childhood. The daughter of a horse trainer in Texas, I was raised with little awareness of the world beyond my town and church. My exposure to different cultures and viewpoints came later while living in France and Japan. A metaphor for my yearning to bridge cultural gaps in understanding, my work combines materials that tell my life story. Western-style clothing and horsehair represent my childhood in Texas. Cotton muslin, a fashion prototyping staple, is representative of my decade living in Paris and working in couture. Kimono silk and gold thread (deployed as a stand-in for the gold lacquer used in kintsugi) are a nod to the three years I spent living in Japan. And finally, the feather-like protrusions, horse hooves, and other shapes I affix to many of my sculptures are made of thermoplastic, a versatile and shape-shifting material that represents my current life in New York City where people are free to take many forms.