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When considering bathroom renovations, it might be wise to steer clear of hiring the sculptor to handle it.

Indeed, Herfeldt is highly skilled in handling foam materials, creating compelling sculptures with a surprising medium. Yet as you look at her creations, the stronger you realise that something seems somewhat unnerving.

Those hefty strands from the foam she crafts stretch over the shelves where they rest, sagging downwards below. The knotty foam pipes swell until they split. A few artworks escape their transparent enclosures completely, becoming a magnet of debris and fibers. Let's just say the feedback might not get positive.

There are moments I feel an impression that objects seem animated in a room,” states the sculptor. This is why I turned to this substance as it offers such an organic texture and feeling.”

In fact there is an element somewhat grotesque in these sculptures, starting with the phallic bulge jutting out, like a medical condition, off its base within the showspace, to the intestinal coils from the material which split open as if in crisis. Displayed nearby, the artist presents images depicting the sculptures captured in multiple views: appearing as squirming organisms observed under magnification, or growths on a petri-dish.

“It interests me that there are things in our bodies occurring that also have independent existence,” Herfeldt explains. Phenomena that are invisible or manage.”

Talking of things she can’t control, the poster featured in the exhibition includes a picture of water damage overhead at her creative space in Kreuzberg, Berlin. Constructed made in the seventies and according to her, was instantly hated by local people as numerous old buildings were torn down to allow its construction. It was already run-down when Herfeldt – who was born in Munich although she spent her youth in northern Germany then relocating to Berlin during her teens – moved in.

The rundown building proved challenging for her work – it was risky to display her art works anxiously risk of ruin – yet it also proved fascinating. Lacking architectural drawings on hand, no one knew how to repair the malfunctions which occurred. Once an overhead section at the artist's area got thoroughly soaked it fell apart fully, the sole fix involved installing it with another – perpetuating the issue.

In a different area, the artist explains the water intrusion was severe so multiple drainage containers were installed within the drop ceiling in order to redirect the water to a different sink.

I understood that the building was like a body, an entirely malfunctioning system,” she says.

These conditions brought to mind Dark Star, the initial work movie from the seventies concerning a conscious ship that develops independence. And as you might notice given the naming – a trio of references – more movies have inspired to have influenced Herfeldt’s show. Those labels point to main characters in Friday 13th, another scary movie and Alien as listed. She mentions an academic paper by the American professor, that describes these surviving characters an original movie concept – female characters isolated to triumph.

“She’s a bit tomboyish, rather quiet and they endure thanks to resourcefulness,” she elaborates of the archetypal final girl. “They don’t take drugs or have sex. Regardless the audience's identity, all empathize with the survivor.”

She draws a similarity linking these figures with her creations – elements that barely maintaining position despite the pressures they face. So is her work focused on social breakdown rather than simply water damage? Because like so many institutions, these materials that should seal and protect us from damage are actually slowly eroding in our environment.

“Absolutely,” responds the artist.

Earlier in her career with sealant applicators, Herfeldt used different unconventional substances. Previous exhibitions have involved tongue-like shapes using fabric similar to you might see within outdoor gear or in coats. Similarly, one finds the impression these peculiar objects could come alive – a few are compressed as insects in motion, pieces hang loosely from walls or extend through entries collecting debris from touch (She prompts people to handle and soil the works). As with earlier creations, those fabric pieces are also housed in – and breaking out of – inexpensive-seeming acrylic glass boxes. These are unattractive objects, and really that’s the point.

“These works possess a particular style that draws viewers very attracted to, while also being quite repulsive,” the artist comments with a smile. “The art aims for absent, yet in reality extremely obvious.”

Herfeldt's goal isn't work to make you feel comfortable or visual calm. Instead, she aims for discomfort, odd, or even humor. However, should you notice something wet dripping on your head too, consider yourself the alert was given.