BARBARA M. BERK

Barbara M. Berk’s wall-mounted sculpture “Lace Eleven:  A Pair of French Knots” has been selected for BEAUTY or TRUTH, a juried sculpture exhibition at Gallery 1337 at Art Works Downtown in San Rafael, CA. 

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Juried by Chandra Cerrito, principal of Chandra Cerrito / Art Advisors, the exhibition features the work of 26 members of Pacific Rim Sculptors, chosen from among a large number of strong works submitted to the call-for-entry. 

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“I am excited to see the very interesting range of works,” states Cerrito.   “I was struck that artists seem to be coming from very different perspectives on sculpture.  Some seem quite traditional, mastering the ability to work with challenging materials and techniques.  Others seem untethered to traditional craft and/or representation.  I am pleased that the final selections span these approaches and, I hope, highlight the strengths of a full spectrum of sculptural practices.”

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About the theme, the Pacific Rim Sculptors write:

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“While it is said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, Merriam Webster defines it as ‘a combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses’ and truth as ‘that which is in accordance with fact or reality.’ The Latin phrase Pulchritudo splendor veritatis (beauty is the splendor of truth) is thousands of years old, and suggests that beauty and truth are interrelated.  John Keats famously declared ‘Beauty is truth, truth beauty -- that is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.’ ”

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Barbara M. Berk explores the interplay of metal with traditional fiber techniques.  Her sculpture fools the eye.  According to Berk,

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“One perceives shiny lace.  One expects soft and fragile.  The reality is strong and structurally sound.  The Truth:  Physical properties and working characteristics of industrial metals balance and reinforce the structural integrity of traditional fiber techniques.”

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Berk created “Lace Eleven:  A Pair of French Knots” with phosphor bronze wire.  Using a 16th century bobbin lace stitch with 16 threads in the Petite Knot and 20 threads in the Grand Knot, she created squares of lace to form the foundations.  Playing with the long loose wire threads, she embroidered and embellished the surface of the lace.  Berk then sewed the threads and the lace together with wire to establish each 3-dimensional form. 

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The sculptures will be exhibited from April 23rd through June 13th, coinciding with and celebrating International Sculpture Day on Saturday, April 24th.  International Sculpture Day is organized by the International Sculpture Center, which also publishes Sculpture magazine.  The non-profit Pacific Rim Sculptors is a chapter of the International Sculpture Center.

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Art Works Downtown is Marin County’s premier non-profit art center.  The gallery is open to limited numbers of safely masked visitors on Fridays 5 – 8pm, and Saturdays & Sundays 1 – 5pm.  A virtual gallery and store, plus virtual art walks and receptions for BEAUTY or TRUTH will be hosted by Art Works Downtown.

 

Information about the exhibition and the quote from juror Chandra Cerrito

are courtesy of Pacific Rim Sculptors and Art Works Downtown.

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