Pittsburgh Cultural TrustGo to the home page

Local artist Ashley Jean Hickey gains inspiration for her abstract and conceptual sculptures from her walks through the woods. Fascinated by the intricate bark patterns of the trees, the skeleton of a leaf, or the growth of fungus on a branch, Hickey applies aspects of these elements to her work in an unexpected manner. Employing preserved moss, lichen, and wood as her primary media, she takes natural materials and turns them into an unconventional art form. Stark-white hand castings present bits of nature to the viewer, challenging the idea of our relationship with our natural environment. Hickey grew up playing in the woods of her childhood home where she discovered her love for nature and considers this to be the most peaceful and reflective of places. Currently living in her city home, she finds surrounding herself with green, plant-inspired work is essential in such an urban environment. Hickey’s work allows the viewer to enjoy pure, though manipulated, nature within the confines of four walls.

Ashley Jean Hickey received her Bachelor's degree in sculpture and drawing from California University of Pennsylvania in 2011 and has since participated in more than a dozen shows in the Pittsburgh area, including three solo exhibitions. Hickey’s work was featured in 2013’s RAW: Natural Born Artists: Semi-Final event, where she took home the title of RAW Pittsburgh’s Visual Artist of the Year. She is a member of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh and currently serves as the President of Pittsburgh's Society of Sculptors.

Ashleyhickey.com