375 Hudson is excited to announce a newly commissioned installation by Palm Springs-based artist Shelley Heffler in the lobby atrium through March 2025.
Heffler transforms discarded vinyl advertising banners into objects of visual beauty. Shelley’s painstaking process involves slicing these cast-off materials by hand, deliberately aiming the cuts to interrupt the printed images and make them unrecognizable. After sorting the resulting ribbons by the colors and shapes within them, the artist then weaves them into a new arrangement. An armature of hardware cloth provides structure and allows for undulation. These creations can be hung on the wall like traditional paintings or—as in the case of 375 Hudson—displayed as three-dimensional suspended sculptures. The lightweight constructions respond to movements of air and their shiny surfaces reflect light, enhancing the variation of colors.
Shelley’s practice addresses the impact of human consumption on the environment. The act of gathering stuff from the trash that was used briefly to promote a product or advertise an event and making art with it conveys a poignant and deeply relevant message. Obviously, taking a few choice pieces of detritus out of the waste stream will not solve the problem, but highlighting the fact that we routinely discard highly durable and often toxic materials may cause the viewer to think twice about society’s cycle of consumption. While this is a disturbing message, it is one delivered in a sincere and aesthetically pleasing manner. Shelley’s ability to harness the physical properties of her chosen medium, the lightness, and the sheen of the plastic fabric as well as their varied coloration impart not only a warning but also a sense of hope for the future.
Shelley Heffler grew up in New York City and studied at the Art Students League and the Fashion Institute of Technology. Shelley worked in New York in the interior design industry designing rugs before later relocating to Southern California. She then earned a BA and MFA from Cal State University, Northridge. Alongside her studio practice, Shelley built a twenty-five-year career as an arts educator. Shelley now lives and works in Palm Springs focusing on creating commissioned artwork for private and public collections.
This exhibition is presented with the cooperation of George Billis Gallery, New York, 212.645.2621. Please direct any inquiries about these works to gallery@georgebillisgallery.com.
All works: Taking Flight, 2023/2024, discarded vinyl banners and wire mesh, 42 x 42 inches (approximately), $3,600, each.