Artist Turned Invasive Vines Into Art

Laura Spector, an artist celebrated for her innovative use of invasive Asian bittersweet vines, passed away recently at her home in Fairfield, Connecticut, at the age of 71. She transformed the much-hated invasive plant into whimsical furniture, lighting, and decorative objects.

Spector, who had previous careers as a dancer and in the music business, found her artistic medium in the aggressive vines that proliferate along the Eastern Seaboard. She harvested them from nature preserves and woodlands, using her entire body to bend and shape them into rustic benches, arches, and beds.

Her unique creations were sought after by designers and musicians, with notable commissions including a 30-foot winding staircase and installations for various establishments. Spector's artistic practice, described as a "conversation between a person and nature," was significantly impacted by Lyme disease, which she contracted two decades ago.

Due to recurring and debilitating symptoms of Lyme disease, Spector eventually transitioned to creating digital collages. These later works, part of her "Identity Series," featured stylized characters she called "Laura dolls," reflecting on themes of imagination, identity, and isolation.