MATRIX Fine Art

Sara D'Alessandro

 

 

 

 

 

 

Artist Statement and Resume

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Artist Statement:

 

Clays solidity belies its ability to present ephemeral images. My sculpture in this exhibition demonstrate three different processes of forming the clay. All are hand built and one-of-a-kind.

The Coils evolve. They are formed by the blending of ropes of clay. Each
piece grows, row upon row, individually and uniquely manifesting an energy and form particular to the nature “quiddity” of clay.

Constructed pieces are slabs of clay placed over a pre-existing form. Examples of this are pieces which I refer to in my work as columns, slices and earth tongues. This process allows me to work in a larger scale and to explore the nature of a particular shape, but, the price paid for these advantages is a less energetic, more static work of art . Animation is regained by development of the surface, making the work highly responsive to light. In outdoor installations these pieces move and shift continuously with the sun’s transit.

The third method would best be described as “playing with dolls” as in the piece called “Herself." I take a small amount of clay -two or three pounds- and push, pull and squeeze until a marriage occurs between the clay and the turn of my mind. Many small bozetti, or models, will be made until one resonates. It will be enlarged three or four times its original size. Enlargements are done without refinement or tighter focus in order to retain, as much as possible, the freshness and energy of the original idea. I do not use an enlarging chassis, pointing machine, or other mechanical device. The enlarging process is by eye with liberties.

I favor abstraction because it precludes (the comfort of) a specific verbal meaning. Abstraction allows the viewer to ponder and the mind to take flight. Many of the works present dual realities; both equally and concurrently valid.
My goal is always to receive a spiritual or visceral response from the observer, rather than an intellectual one.

.Place and Date of Birth: Port Jefferson, NY, `1944

Education:
BFA Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY 1968
Peace Corps Brazil, S A 1965-1967
Voter Antoinette Perry Awards, 1998-1993
Scenic sculptor. United Scenic Artists Local 829,1985-2003

Select Exhibitions:
2008 "Landscape Explorations," 2-person show, Matrix Fine Art, Albuquerque, NM

2007 "Tres Amigos," 3-person show, Matrix Fine Art, Albuquerque, NM

2006 "Sensual or Erotic?" Katrina Lasko Gallery, Bernalillo, NM
2005 Featured artist Katrina Lasko Gallery, Bernalillo, NM
2004 "Totems and Runes" solo exhibition, Suffolk County Community College, Brentwood, NY
"Reminiscence", East End Arts Council, 1/9-2/7, Ariene Bujese juror, Riverhead, NY
2003 Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park, cont. installation, Skokie, IL
"Large Terra Cotta Sculpture in the Courtyard", Galerie Pelar Ltd., Greenport, NY
"Annual Summer Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit", John T. Mather Memorial Hospital, Port Jefferson, NY
"Survivor" installation, East End Arts Council, Spring to Winter, Riverhead, NY
"Natural Forces," Liz Malunawicz curator. East End Arts Council, Riverhead, NY
"Secret Garden Tour", sculpture on the grounds of Ivy Acres, Baiting Hollow, NY
"Mind, Body, Spirit... an exploration", East End Arts Council, Riverhead, NY
2002 "Studio Tour" East End Arts Council, Sept. 21, Riverhead, NY
"Obsessions", Judy Collischan juror, Hechscher Museum of Art, Huntington, NY
“Tableaux Vivants", solo exhibition, West Chester University, West Chester, PA
2000 "Spaces: Interior & Exterior", Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA
Heckscher Museum of Art, Rosylin Library, Rosyln.NY
"Swamp Cabbage Colonnade," Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park, Skokie, IL
"Gathering of Columns", Quietude Garden Gallery, New Brunswick, NJ
"New Forms" art4business website, Philadelphia, PA
1999 “Mud Like a Blessing: Elemental Clay Sculpture,” Hunterdon Museum of Art,, Clinton, NJ
 

Selected Bibliography:
2005 Martinez, Rozanna M. “Bold & Beautiful” West Side Journal and Rio Rancho Journal
2005 Divens, Bill. “Featured of the Month” Sandoval Signpost, Sept. 30
2003 Harrison, Helen A. “Images of a Beautiful Era” New York Times Sunday Arts,
2000 Harrison, Helen A. “Sculpture: Three Views”, New York Times Sun. Arts
1999 Harrison, Helen A. “The Mystery of Existence” New York Times Sun. Arts
1994 Kiriazis, Bill. “At Benson Gallery; Under the Influence” The Independent
1992 Swift, Eileen. “3-Dimensional Approach to Art, Drama” Newsday
1989 Wallach, Amei. “Sculpted Summer” Newsday, July 21, cover photo
1989 Sica, Connie. “Spirit Food” Sag Harbor Express, June
1986 Jones, Virginia. “Contemporary Women Sculptors” Oryx Press
1981 Bass, Ruth. “New York Reviews: Alive and Well in the 70’s” Art News
1980 Glueck, Grace. “Art: Sculptured Figures of the 70’s at Pratt Gallery” New York Times

 

 

 

 

 

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