Gerald Peters Gallery

Exposed Monumental Sculpture to be Unveiled at College of Santa Fe 

What Lies In Between Gallery Exhibition

Exposed Stainless Steel, Transforming and Exposed Bronze at Gerald Peters Gallery

 On April 22 at 2pm an 11-foot tall, 5-ft wide blackened bronze monumental sculpture entitled Exposed will be unveiled at the College of Santa Fe in Santa Fe, NM.  The sculpture, by artist Kathy Taslitz, is in the figure of a leaf – an iconic expression of nature and the life cycle that Taslitz uses repeatedly in her work.  The human female form emerges out of the leaf, exposed to its surroundings, perforated to exhibit the strength developed through vulnerability.  It is the first of a planned series of four sculptures What Lies in Between.

“We are honored to have such an important piece of artwork available to the campus community and for the City of Santa Fe to enjoy,” said college president, Larry Hinz.  “Kathy Taslitz’s Exposed is about self-discovery and rebirth, and what an appropriate symbol for the College of Santa Fe as we enthusiastically pursue the next chapter in our 151-year history.”

The monumental sculpture was commissioned by a private collector who saw the maquette at Galerie Maximillian in Aspen (galeriemax.com).  Choosing to remain anonymous, he thought its organic shape would relate perfectly to the natural beauty of Santa Fe.

“Santa Fe is a significant place in the art world and it has such natural beauty that it’s a great fit for my work,” said artist Kathy Taslitz.  “I am constantly inspired by the natural world and I love that the city of Santa Fe celebrates, protects and incorporates the landscape into their modern life.”

Following the unveiling on April 22 at 5:30 p.m. there will be exhibition at the Gerald Peters Gallery and premiere of Taslitz’s newest work, Transforming, 2010.  Transforming curves and curls to suggest a leaf, a persistent image in Taslitz’s work, but now the stripped-down skeletal core of a human self is just as evident. Hard metal turns and ends to reveal shapes within a spiraling form, recalling cells and the genetic code in nature’s exemplary structure of connection and meaning, yet also creating open, airy regions unconstrained by pattern or method.  The 42-inch sculpture in bronze with a black patina is the second in the series What Lies In Between, and like Exposed, will be produced in bronze with black patina or stainless steel.  The exhibition featuring 14 of Taslitz’s works will continue through May 20.

Taslitz’s work is rooted in understanding how people actually live and interact in the natural and urban worlds.  “I wanted to make artwork to truly address what it means to live and change and grow as an individual, as well as works that directly involve themselves in people’s lives.”  The Chicago-based artist is also an award-winning designer and serves on the Architecture and Design Society Board of the Art Institute of Chicago and Board of Trustees of the Museum of Contemporary Art.

The College of Santa Fe is a 151-year-old creative arts-based college located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Programs at the college combine practical experience with core theory, empowering students to develop thorough an understanding of their professional aspirations in creative writing, theater, art, graphic design, moving image arts (film making), photography, business, and education.

The city of Santa Fe is a hotbed of artistic expression. Thousands of professional artists live here and show their work in the city’s 300 galleries. Santa Fe has one of the largest art markets in the United States and internationally renowned artists and writers make frequent guest appearances on campus and in the community.