Arts + Literature Laboratory presents Weave… When Things Break, a solo exhibition featuring the work of Leslie Iwai, on view Tuesday, April 28 through Saturday, June 20, 2026.
This exhibition was organized by the community curation project, LAB^4. A reception for all LAB^4 exhibitions will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.
Join us again for a closing reception on Friday, June 20, 2026 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.
Marked by her distinct attention to detail and sculptural pattern design, Leslie Iwai’s work unveils myriad connections between structure, form, and material. For her, installation becomes conceptual tailoring, a literal stitching of material, be it soft or hard- concrete or felt- to form designs that rest or suspend with visual ease to reveal underlying meaning. Inspired by her grandmother, an expert seamstress, Leslie finds joy using her engraved scissors and Japanese and English pattern rulers.
Weave… When Things Break
Leslie Iwai is an installation artist and sculptor who creates conceptual work informed by her education in mathematics, chemistry (Wayne State College, Nebraska) and architecture (MArch, Virginia Tech) She was the first recipient of the Bemis Community Arts Fellowship (2005) and most recently (2024) completed Cumulate, a 1% for Art public art project for the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Leslie was honored to be part of the Museum of Wisconsin Art’s Claiming Space: A New Century of Visionary Women (2021) and her artist residencies include AIR Serebe and Kimmel Harding Nelsen Center for the Arts. Leslie has taught in both academic and community settings in Wisconsin, Nebraska, Illinois, and New Mexico. She has been a contributing writer and artist for Image Journal and The Well (InterVarsity). Leslie enjoys living in Wisconsin with her husband where she creates art, collaborates, and connects with her community.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Arts + Literature Laboratory is located at 111 S. Livingston Street #100, Madison, Wisconsin, 53703.
Our galleries are open Tuesday through Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday noon to 5pm, and other programs take place throughout the week. Please check the events calendar and education section for details.