“Antiquarian books are the inspiration for everything I make – their illustrations, humor, wit, substance and wisdom are a constant stimulus to my imagination. In my home, I surround myself with these artifacts of earlier times that provide me a glimpse into the past. I find great comfort in knowing many previous societies have weathered upheavals and anxieties and emerged triumphant and whole. All my work explores the bridge between the past and the present. That is the space in which I choose to live.”
Estelle’s Manhattan apartment is a wonderland populated by collages, sculptures and free-standing figures that burst with color and sparkle in the light.
On closer inspection, one discovers nooks, crannies and worlds within worlds, new vistas, familiar images, and a string of surprises from hidden figures to ringing bells.
Children and adults alike are enchanted by her work, which includes flat collages and assemblages, such as a 17-building Amusement Park and an entire population of miniature gestural sculptures—tiny creatures with distinct personalities and an abundance of attitude.
