Artist Profile: Memphis West

 “The Camera Is My Third Eye”

Sometimes creative inspiration comes from a random event—just ask Arizona sculptor Memphis West. “I was surprised what happened to my art when I put the camera to my eye,” she said. West was taking photographs of her most recent series of papier mache sculptures for a publicity brochure when she made a discovery that changed the way she sees her work. “I didn’t have the money to hire a professional photographer so I had to take my own publicity photos. The first thing I noticed was that my sculptures looked different through the camera lens. Reality became a canvas for visual self-expression.   By switching lenses  or manipulating light and shadow,the  images I saw through the viewer changed dramatically.” 

West started using the camera to express the full range of emotions evoked by her sculptures. “ The camera is my third eye. It helps me to see things in a new light. The emotional depth captured by the camera is truly amazing.”

The Memphis West photo cards, sold on-line at the

Let’s Talk Handpuppet Company + Gift Store

represent the best of these efforts.

“My ‘Extravagant Love” sculpture series pays tribute to the many ways a woman expresses deep love. The images I selected for the note cards are so powerful, they could be framed.”