Fallen Idols (after sculpture)

A collagist and sculptor, Helene Fesenmaier explores the importance of traditional iconography and the emotive formal devices of texture and structure in her work. Influenced by the collages of Kurt Schwitters, Fesenmaierʼs pieces demonstrate an interest in the simplification of forms, while also capturing socio-political undertones. In this work created after her sculpture Fallen Idols (1988), the collage reveals sweeping contours in earthy deep brown and ochre tones. Similar to its sculptural counterpart, this collage portrays wooden limbs attached to white cylindrical pedestals with spokes -- one idol appears toppled while another leans precariously to the side. The shadow-infused background and disjointed, sharp angles of the idol objects evokes a menacing, highly theatrical scene.