New York-based artist Jessica Drenk has created a remarkable series of wall sculptures that transform everyday junk mail and discarded papers into stunning artworks resembling the natural beauty of agate stones and geological formations. Her innovative approach to upcycling creates elaborately layered, sculptural pieces that evoke the appearance of banded crystals and colorful sedimentary rock formations.
Drenk's fascination with geology drives her artistic vision, drawing inspiration from the rainbow-like mineral rings found in petrified wood and the way light filters through the striations of sliced agate. Her upcoming solo exhibition, titled "Elemental Form," will be held at Galleri Urbane in Dallas and continues to explore the relationship between ephemerality and eternity. According to the gallery, "Building in layers, Drenk renders erosion, sedimentation, and crystallization human-made."
The artist's wall pieces demonstrate remarkable variety in both materials and technique. Many of her works are constructed solely from paper, while newer pieces in the "Slice" series incorporate plaster alongside the recycled materials. Works such as "Aggregate Triptych" and "Flow" appear as though they have been hewn directly from some vast geological deposit, reminiscent of the way marble is extracted from quarries in neat slabs.
Drenk's artistic philosophy centers around the concept of flow, emphasizing how earth, water, and our perception of time can be fluid, much like the nature of art-making itself. She describes her guiding ethos as having an "aqueous sensibility," noting that creative individuals often strive for moments when they experience being in a state of flow. This philosophy influences both the creation process and how viewers experience her work.
The artist's 2025 collection includes several notable pieces that showcase her mastery of the medium. "Agate 3" measures 57 x 79 inches and is constructed entirely from junk mail and used paper. "Slice 3," incorporating both junk mail and plaster, spans 54 x 79 inches. Other significant works include "Aggregate Triptych 4" (42 x 88 inches), "Agate 2" (66 x 44 inches), and "Aggregate Strata 3" (75.5 x 81.5 inches), all crafted from junk mail and used paper.
When viewed from a broader perspective, Drenk's sculptures reveal additional layers of meaning, with some pieces appearing to show streams and oxbows amid vast natural landscapes. This multi-dimensional viewing experience adds depth to the work, allowing viewers to discover new elements depending on their vantage point and the scale at which they observe the pieces.
"Elemental Form" will run from September 6 through November 8 at Galleri Urbane in Dallas. Those interested in learning more about Jessica Drenk's work can visit her official website and follow her on Instagram for updates on her latest creations and exhibitions.
