“There’s a humanistic aspect to light”

Molly had never worked with LED lights before. She is always interested in working with materials that she doesn't know anything about, but she wasn’t prepared for the sticker shock. “Each roll of light is $100! But the material is super flexible and allows me to build circuits however I want.”

She applied for a Micro Grant from Amplify Arts in December 2018 and was awarded $250 to research and develop LED light features in a body of large-scale light-box sculptures. “This grant really helped with the cost of these new materials. Every time I would cut a piece, it felt like I was cutting off my arm! Or throwing away a $20 bill!”

When we asked Molly what drew her to working with light in the first place, she said “I’m interested in the ‘speech’ of materials, and for me, light symbolizes energy, and connectivity, especially between humans. There’s a humanistic aspect to light… I have dabbled in light, but never truly mastered it, so I’m trying to learn more about it’s sculptural applications… specifically for outdoor public works.”

To get started on the learning process Molly went directly to the source (or should we say light source): “I hung out at the Electrical Supply Company for like a week and would talk to all the electricians that came in… asking questions and taking notes. I taught myself to solder.”

In addition to her art practice, Molly currently works on the support staff for Habitat for Humanity ReStore's Deconstruction Program. Her team salvages and re-uses home improvement materials that are saved from the Demolition Home Remodeling Process, to be sold in Omaha's Habitat ReStores.

To learn more about Molly and her work, visit her website.