About Arlene Shechet

Arlene Shechet claims to have a close relationship with the ugly, the hideous and theunbearable. What is remarkable, however, is that the ugly in her arrangements can turn into its complete opposite in the eyes of people. Her forms eventually become intriguing and give a strong push against ideas about aesthetics.

Channel Liberty (with fallen arm) is a deliberately artificial figure made of a wreath of aluminium plates and a cast iron top. The sculpture looks a bit like a costume, with a piece of tree growing out of it. The ‘fallen arm’ sticks up. At the end is a ceramic snail shell, covered with green glaze. Like shells, the snail shell is often associated with sexuality and fertility. The ability of the snail to change gender reinforces this association. In short: the snail represents feeling at home, the journey to the goal and finding your peace there. It is as if the sculpture gives birth to something from within, wants to say something. The association with the Statue of Liberty with the raised arm is not far off.