Natasha Steshenko Figurative Sculptures

The artist says of her work... Arrested Symphony is an exhibition incorporating sculptures, reliefs, drawings and hanging works that explore the theme of injustice that is at the roots of the predatory gem and mineral excavation industry. While at a residency in Knoxville, Tennessee, I discovered that Oakridge was only 30 miles away. Oakridge played a key role in the development of the Atom Bomb and the Manhattan Project. I began an exploration and comparison of Uranium and Emeralds. These minerals look very much alike, beautiful but dangerous on their effect on civil conflict. Colombia my birthplace, has the finest Emeralds in the world. The mining of Emeralds was an important element in the continued colonization of the region. Emeralds have helped to fund the more than 60-year conflict which has taken over 450,000 lives and displaced about 5.7 million people. Uranium has brought destruction to a level which altered the future of warfare. The developments made during the Manhattan Project led to the death of about 700,000 people and its effects are still felt around the world. I use Colombia as an example, however this situation is repeating itself in many parts of the world. Sierra Leone, Liberia, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo are all involved in brutal civil conflicts fueled by Blood Diamonds. This project will make visual the human cost extracted with these minerals, once exposed to the light of day they can never be unearthed. My practice is an ongoing object-based exploration through which I create artworks which are organic and improvisational constructions that are infused with hope and renewal. The hand-crafted artworks are poetically and intricately crafted, creating an intimate repository for the individual and collective memory and implement the human body as a symbol and expression of nature, vulnerability and power. The work encourages viewers to reconsider social and historical narratives especially when dealing with the aftermath of Colonialism and raises critical questions about the politics of erasure and exclusion. ESPERANZA CORTÉS is a Colombian born contemporary multidisciplinary artist based in New York City. Cortés has exhibited in the United States in solo and group exhibitions in venues including Smack Mellon Gallery, Neuberger Museum of Art, Bronx Museum of Art, Queens Museum, El Museo Del Barrio, MoMA PS1, Socrates Sculpture Park and White-box Gallery in New York City. Nationally Cortes exhibitions include Cleveland Art Museum, OH, CSU Galleries at Cleveland University, OH, Helen Day Art Center, VT and The Lorenzo Homar...

“Contemplation” is an abstract clay sculpture of a female. The figure has both arms and legs extended, but the dignified pose suggests an intimate rather than a sexual moment. The sculpture is delicately rendered, but monumental in pose and clean composition reminiscent of the English artist Henry Moore. The surface is warm and slightly rough to the touch. This sculpture is in the round and beautifully balanced geometrically with the hands clasped behind the head forming a slightly flattened polygon shape that is echoed in the positioning of the legs and draped fabric of a presumed dress. The figure draws the viewer into her contemplation, peace and confidence. An exceptional piece by Midener. Walter Midener...

This 48" x 12" x 7" mixed media sculpture by Oklahoma-based artist Paul Medina consists of clay, steel, and copper, threaded together with nylon cord. The work utilizes elements of b...

Robert Kvenild took his BA from the UC Santa Cruz and went on to SF State University for his MA. His whimsical, colorful ceramic pieces have been in many solo and group shows through...

Large sized sculpture of a standing shirt including large piedestal.

Robert Kvenild took his BA from the UC Santa Cruz and went on to SF State University for his MA. His whimsical, colorful ceramic pieces have been in many solo and group shows through...

Anneke Bogardus "Poppy №4" 2023 Entirely hand sculpted. Raku fired. 5 3/4” tall, 12” around Raku firing is an ancient Japanese ceramics technique. The Raku technique is essentiall...

Robert Kvenild took his BA from the UC Santa Cruz and went on to SF State University for his MA. His whimsical, colorful ceramic pieces have been in many solo and group shows through...

Anneke Bogardus "Poppy №5" 2023 Entirely hand sculpted. Raku fired. 5 1/4” tall, 13" around the widest point. Raku firing is an ancient Japanese ceramics technique. The Raku tech...

Robert Kvenild took his BA from the UC Santa Cruz and went on to SF State University for his MA. His whimsical, colorful ceramic pieces have been in many solo and group shows through...

Medium: clay figure, fresco, wood Esperanza Cortés is a Colombian born multidisciplinary artist based in New York City. Cortés has been exhibited nationally in galleries and museums...

Medium: clay sculpture, glass beads, metal beads, chains, crystal, silver leaf, metal Esperanza Cortés is a Colombian born multidisciplinary artist based in New York City. Cortés ha...