Rademakers Gallery | Jessi Strixner

Jessi Strixner

Jessi Strixner, a Munich-born artist based in The Hague, captivates audiences with her masterful wood sculptures that imitate everyday objects, particularly clothing, with astonishing realism. A graduate and master craftsman from the Vocational School for Wood Sculpture in Munich, Strixner transforms wood into hyper-realistic garments, challenging the viewer's perception of material and texture. Her pieces, which include everything from intricately carved bras to lifelike socks and jackets, exude a tactile quality that compels viewers to reach out and touch, questioning their visual senses.

Sculpting Realism-From Doubt to Mastery
Initially doubting her skills in wood sculpture, Strixner briefly pursued a career as an illustrator before returning to her craft, encouraged by her husband and fellow wood sculptor, Philipp Liehr. Drawing inspiration from her love of clothing, she began creating wooden renditions of everyday garments, starting with a meticulously carved bra in 2019 that gained immediate attention. This marked the beginning of a series of realistic wooden sculptures that have since earned her accolades and exhibitions worldwide.

Theatrical and Textural Contrasts
Strixner’s works play on the contrast between the softness implied by fabric and the hardness of wood, creating a visual and sensory tension. Her pieces, such as a golden jacket or a pink cap, mimic the delicate folds and textures of textiles, while their true nature—solid wood—evokes surprise and intrigue. Strixner's ability to capture the essence of these materials highlights her exceptional skill in both traditional carving and modern artistic expression.

Education