Dawn Stetzel received a B.A. at The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 1993. Her work is exhibited and collected internationally.
"I respond to the natural world. I marvel at the subtleties in variation and the function of multiples. I think of new growth. I think of cellular intricacies. I am in awe of cell differentiation. I am fascinated by metamorphosis, embryos and the temporary stages of life and growth.
Often times my sculptures are units of life. Some have an inner core of nucleic information, a condensed mass of material possessing the potential for emergence. These sculptures are dormant, waiting to undergo the first stage of development. Some sculptures are metamorphosing. Others are remnants of growth. They are skeletal membranes, webs left behind, or sheddings cast off.
I place my work in clusters, groups, or collective strands. At times I orient my sculptures to reflect the communication between organisms in a community.
I work with metal, clay, plastic, wire, rubber and wax. I select specific materials to create vulnerable semi-transparent membranes, ephemeral sheddings, sagging visceral openings or protected inner cavities.
My current direction is to combine materials and to continue creating mulit-unit, site-specifid sculptures. My work is evolving towards installations that interact directly with the environment. These pieces change with the hour and the season, evolving with the natural world."