Some people call it “idolatry” and others call it artistic expression. Yet, there’s something compelling about sculpture that has fascinated humanity for centuries. Art lovers got to enjoy the opening reception of the ‘Finding The Form’ sculpture exhibit at the Sausalito Center For The Arts on Sept. 16.
36 Bay Area sculpture-artists are featured in one of the most comprehensive sculpture exhibits of of its kind.
Inspired initially by nature, the exhibit’s centerpiece is the work of artist, Zoe Fry’s fire-ravaged Manzanita trees. A unique testament to the reality of climate change and to the fact that sculpture art takes on many forms.
“This exhibit has many different styles, types and forms of sculpture besides the traditional form,” said SCA executive director Shiva Pakdel. SCA was founded in 2021. And, Pakdel is very pleased and proud that the City of Sausalito among others in the community has made the former Bank of America building available and repurposed for the arts. “We were able to move to this location and officially open in February of this year,” said Pakdel.
Pakdel is also curator of the exhibit, selecting each piece out of many that were submitted for consideration. “I wanted to get a cross-section of a variety of many sculpture-art works from as many Bay Area artists as possible,” Pakdel said.
36 Bay Area sculpture-artists are featured in one of the most comprehensive sculpture exhibits of of its kind.
Inspired initially by nature, the exhibit’s centerpiece is the work of artist, Zoe Fry’s fire-ravaged Manzanita trees. A unique testament to the reality of climate change and to the fact that sculpture art takes on many forms.
“This exhibit has many different styles, types and forms of sculpture besides the traditional form,” said SCA executive director Shiva Pakdel. SCA was founded in 2021. And, Pakdel is very pleased and proud that the City of Sausalito among others in the community has made the former Bank of America building available and repurposed for the arts. “We were able to move to this location and officially open in February of this year,” said Pakdel.
Pakdel is also curator of the exhibit, selecting each piece out of many that were submitted for consideration. “I wanted to get a cross-section of a variety of many sculpture-art works from as many Bay Area artists as possible,” Pakdel said.
The use of various materials and techniques, have been employed in the array of works; including the utilization of unexpected materials such as twist-ties, wire, rubber, wax and thread.
Even so, in most people’s minds it’s still the traditional approach of using marble, stone, metal or clay.
“The compelling aspect of sculpting is that’s it is an expression of what is physical, said contributing sculptor, Catherine Merrill. “This is especially so with regards to depicting human beings and the bodily form,” she added.
Merrill is one of several artists in the exhibit that focus primarily on the human form. “I come from a dance background,” said Merrill so I’ve always been inspired by the human form and it’s complexities,” she said.
While this exhibit is no debut for Merrill, it is her first time displaying her work in Sausalito. Merrill has six pieces on display in the exhibit. Charmed by Sausalito’s beauty and magnificent views of the San Francisco Bay, Merrill is thrilled and honored to have been asked to participate by Pakdel herself.
As Merrill explained. “I’ve shown my sculptures throughout Marin and San Francisco, and in many places, she said, including Hawaii, Florida and even in Cuba.”
“Yet, said Merrill this is the first time I’ve shown my work in such a large venue-space.”
Commenting further on the impact of such a large space Merrill said. “I think of Rodin. ‘This is. how you do sculpture; all the way around’ every side/angle. When it all matches up, you’re done.”
“What I mean by that said Merrill, is that impressionist sculptor Auguste Rodin understood that a sculptor needs to see a three-dimensional figure from all sides in order for the work to be done well.”
“It’s the same for the viewer/audience,” she said. “If you can’t walk around the entire piece then you’re not seeing the work in its entirety,” said Merrill.
Being able to have enough space for visitors to walk around each piece is very important to Merrill and this is why she was so pleased with the reception and the venue.
“The exhibition is highly unusual in that it is primarily sculpture, said fellow artist -exhibitor Charles Stinson. “It is a rarity in the Bay Area.”
As a recent past president of the Pacific Rim Sculptors, Stinson, like Merrill is very pleased with the venue space.
“With high ceilings and generous light, allowing the exhibition’s arrangement of well-spaced clusters of floor standing, pedestal mounted, and wall mounted sculptures and two-dimensional artworks, visitors are able to view the works without feeling rushed or crowded, a major plus,” said Stinson.
Adding further, Stinson said. “As an exhibiting artist who intends that my works invite reflection, I was happy that my contemporary Buddha and Yoga figures were safely positioned, well-lit, and easily viewed by the guests.”
“The Sausalito Center For The Arts is an exciting new development in the Bay Area art scene,” said Stinson. “It’s providing a welcome and much-needed venue for future sculpture exhibitions, in addition to two-dimensional and other forms of art.”
“Kudos and thanks to the center’s Executive Director and curator of this exhibition, Shiva Pakdel, and to Sausalito residents for supporting this exciting new venue,” Stinson said.
The following 36 artists are featured in the exhibit:
Annette Goodfriend, Barbara Berk, Barry Beach, Beth Hartmann, Bettina Schneider, Brandon Stieg, Caitlin McKee, Catherine Merrill, Charles H. Stinson, Cheryl Coon, Cheryl Gordon, Christine Cianci Darcy Sears, David Fought, Eva Mitala, Farnaz Zabetian, Isodoro Angeles, Jan Blythe, Jane B.Grimm Jeff Owen, Linda Matson, Marguerite Elliot, Mark Brodie, Melissa Woodburn, Mohammad Ranjbar Sadeghi, Nathalie Whisman, Nina Goldfeather, Reenie Charriere, Rene Dayan-Whitehead, Richard Alpert, Susan Press, Susie Kelly, Zahava Sherez & Zoe Fry.
Even so, in most people’s minds it’s still the traditional approach of using marble, stone, metal or clay.
“The compelling aspect of sculpting is that’s it is an expression of what is physical, said contributing sculptor, Catherine Merrill. “This is especially so with regards to depicting human beings and the bodily form,” she added.
Merrill is one of several artists in the exhibit that focus primarily on the human form. “I come from a dance background,” said Merrill so I’ve always been inspired by the human form and it’s complexities,” she said.
While this exhibit is no debut for Merrill, it is her first time displaying her work in Sausalito. Merrill has six pieces on display in the exhibit. Charmed by Sausalito’s beauty and magnificent views of the San Francisco Bay, Merrill is thrilled and honored to have been asked to participate by Pakdel herself.
As Merrill explained. “I’ve shown my sculptures throughout Marin and San Francisco, and in many places, she said, including Hawaii, Florida and even in Cuba.”
“Yet, said Merrill this is the first time I’ve shown my work in such a large venue-space.”
Commenting further on the impact of such a large space Merrill said. “I think of Rodin. ‘This is. how you do sculpture; all the way around’ every side/angle. When it all matches up, you’re done.”
“What I mean by that said Merrill, is that impressionist sculptor Auguste Rodin understood that a sculptor needs to see a three-dimensional figure from all sides in order for the work to be done well.”
“It’s the same for the viewer/audience,” she said. “If you can’t walk around the entire piece then you’re not seeing the work in its entirety,” said Merrill.
Being able to have enough space for visitors to walk around each piece is very important to Merrill and this is why she was so pleased with the reception and the venue.
“The exhibition is highly unusual in that it is primarily sculpture, said fellow artist -exhibitor Charles Stinson. “It is a rarity in the Bay Area.”
As a recent past president of the Pacific Rim Sculptors, Stinson, like Merrill is very pleased with the venue space.
“With high ceilings and generous light, allowing the exhibition’s arrangement of well-spaced clusters of floor standing, pedestal mounted, and wall mounted sculptures and two-dimensional artworks, visitors are able to view the works without feeling rushed or crowded, a major plus,” said Stinson.
Adding further, Stinson said. “As an exhibiting artist who intends that my works invite reflection, I was happy that my contemporary Buddha and Yoga figures were safely positioned, well-lit, and easily viewed by the guests.”
“The Sausalito Center For The Arts is an exciting new development in the Bay Area art scene,” said Stinson. “It’s providing a welcome and much-needed venue for future sculpture exhibitions, in addition to two-dimensional and other forms of art.”
“Kudos and thanks to the center’s Executive Director and curator of this exhibition, Shiva Pakdel, and to Sausalito residents for supporting this exciting new venue,” Stinson said.
The following 36 artists are featured in the exhibit:
Annette Goodfriend, Barbara Berk, Barry Beach, Beth Hartmann, Bettina Schneider, Brandon Stieg, Caitlin McKee, Catherine Merrill, Charles H. Stinson, Cheryl Coon, Cheryl Gordon, Christine Cianci Darcy Sears, David Fought, Eva Mitala, Farnaz Zabetian, Isodoro Angeles, Jan Blythe, Jane B.Grimm Jeff Owen, Linda Matson, Marguerite Elliot, Mark Brodie, Melissa Woodburn, Mohammad Ranjbar Sadeghi, Nathalie Whisman, Nina Goldfeather, Reenie Charriere, Rene Dayan-Whitehead, Richard Alpert, Susan Press, Susie Kelly, Zahava Sherez & Zoe Fry.
Located at 750 Bridgeway in Sausalito, SCA is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 11:AM to 5: PM. ‘Finding The Form’ exhibit continues until Oct. 8. For details visit the SCA website.
Catherine Merrill with her work "I'll Fly Away" (middle) & "Lucky Me" (right)
Catherine Merrill's Raku Fired Tile Wall Pieces: "The Journal" (left) and "Prayer Flags" (right)