Rademakers Gallery | Jessi Strixner

Jessi Strixner (b. 1992, Germany) is a sculptor whose work explores the relationship between material, perception, and everyday objects. Trained as a master wood sculptor in Munich, her practice is rooted in traditional craftsmanship, which she applies to the creation of highly detailed, illusionistic works.

Central to Strixner’s work is the transformation of wood into objects that appear soft, flexible, and wearable. Focusing primarily on garments and textiles, she creates sculptures that closely resemble items such as bras, jackets, and socks. Through careful carving and finishing, she replicates folds, seams, and surface textures with a high level of precision, resulting in works that challenge the viewer’s expectations of material.

Her sculptures operate through a tension between appearance and reality. While the forms suggest softness and movement, the material remains solid and rigid. This contrast creates a moment of uncertainty, where visual perception is questioned and the relationship between object and material is reconsidered.

Strixner’s work is also informed by a personal connection to clothing as a subject. Garments function not only as visual references but as carriers of identity and everyday experience. By translating these familiar objects into wood, she isolates and emphasizes their form, allowing them to be viewed outside of their functional context.

Her process is both technical and intuitive, combining traditional carving methods with a contemporary focus on perception and illusion. Through this approach, Strixner develops sculptures that engage directly with the viewer, inviting closer observation and a reconsideration of how material is understood.