Paper: Social Practice: At the Intersection of Art and Social Engagement

The artist takes on topics such as the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki the Holocaust mass migration the Dakota Access Pipeline the Trump era and the revitalization of historic buildings and neighborhoods in Los Angeles. Bleifers work has always been concerned about destructive forces: mans inhumanity to man the destructive forces of nature the active role of human civilization as it impacts the environment and the increasing polarization of society. Since her primary medium has been paper - not only as the surface for imagery but as a painting and sculpting material - She has developed many techniques that degrade the paper and express destructive forces at work. While throughout her life she has been involved with family and community work she has shifted her focus to global humanitarian and environmental affairs. Recent work has her becoming more of an activist than a studio artist - sometimes supported by art works and sometimes projecting a vision in social situations. Sandy Bleifer uses paper and figurative imagery to evoke social and political issues. Her work engages the audience via interactions with freestanding and wall hung sculptural installations. Her intention has been to bring about far reaching social change by further involving the viewer/participant through adjunct programming as well as contemplation of the artwork. Using photographic documentation she traversed the world of urban redevelopment to preserve neighborhoods and architectural features of historical and cultural significance.