Thinking Outside the Box -
Solo Exhibition by Dede Lifgren
DATE:
February 4 - March 1, 2026
ARTIST:
Dede Lifgren
CURATOR:
Kelly Edwards
OPENING RECEPTION:
Saturday, February 7, 2026 5:00p - 7:00p
Artist Statement:
In early 2023, I committed to working exclusively with discarded cardboard. It was everywhere—abundant, overlooked, and full of possibility. Restricting myself to this single, humble material became both a challenge and a catalyst for invention.
Cardboard is unstable and inconsistent, qualities that forced me to rethink my process. I soak, cut, weave, staple, glue, paint, and adorn each piece, pushing the material beyond its intended use. The work resists predictability, often surprising me as much as the viewer.
By transforming something commonly ignored, I aim to shift how value is perceived. These pieces explore the potential of overlooked materials and invite a reconsideration of what cardboard—and by extension, what we dismiss—can become.
Artist's Bio:
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Dede Lifgren’s path to art was anything but linear. She began studying political science at SUNY before a spontaneous decision to pursue fine arts in France shifted her direction entirely. Traveling and studying throughout Europe deepened her engagement with art and eventually led her to the San Francisco Art Institute.
After returning to New York, Lifgren founded several successful creative businesses, including VersaTile (ceramic tile murals), Capuchinz (patterned hats and jewelry), and Walls of the Wild (life-size animal and plant wall decals). These ventures reflect her long-standing interest in design, material, and making art accessible beyond traditional formats.
Alongside her entrepreneurial work, Lifgren has maintained a dedicated fine art practice in paint, clay, and cement, creating both two- and three-dimensional pieces. Her current work centers on sculptural wall art made from recycled cardboard—a mundane, everyday material she cuts, reshapes, and paints into richly textured, dimensional forms. Through this transformation, Lifgren explores beauty in the overlooked, creating work that feels both familiar and unexpected.
