In her evocative sculptural work, Christina Bothwell delves into the liminal space between the physical and the spiritual. Her hauntingly beautiful figures, often children or animals, appear suspended in time, seemingly caught in the delicate threshold between waking life and the dream realm. Using a distinctive blend of cast glass, clay, and found materials, Bothwell’s sculptures convey a sense of wonder, vulnerability, and quiet introspection.
Currently on view in her solo exhibition Screen Memories at UrbanGlass’s Robert Lehman Gallery in New York, Bothwell presents a compelling body of recent work curated by Heller Gallery. The show runs through September 12 and offers visitors an opportunity to step into her singular world—one that is deeply personal yet universally resonant.
Bothwell’s process is meticulous and deeply intuitive. Each piece emerges from layers of symbolic meaning, drawing from themes of transformation, rebirth, memory, and the unseen energies that shape human experience. Figures may be partially translucent, revealing internal forms that suggest souls, thoughts, or fragments of memory. Her work often includes natural motifs like flowers, insects, and shells, grounding these otherworldly beings in the tactile beauty of the natural world.
Her longtime collaborator and husband, Robert Bender, frequently contributes elements crafted from wood, such as elongated limbs or antlers, further enhancing the mythic presence of the figures. The result is a body of work that feels both ancient and contemporary, evocative of folklore while distinctly original.
While deeply emotional, Bothwell’s sculptures avoid sentimentality. Instead, they invite quiet reflection and a re-engagement with our inner lives. In an age of distraction, her art urges viewers to pause and look inward.
For more of Christina Bothwell’s work, visit her official website or follow her on Instagram.
