SURFACE AND SYMBOL: SOFA CHICAGO 2004 GALLERIES AND DEALERS PRESENT ARTWORKS BRIDGING THE DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS

METAL

Albert Paley Hawk Galleries, Columbus, OH and Leo Kaplan Modern, New York, NY	Albert Paley Soliloquy, 1999 Steel, mahogany 30 x 73.75 x 27" Jerald Melberg Gallery, Charlotte, NC

Forged metal sculptor Albert Paley leads the way for metals at SOFA CHICAGO, as his innovative forging technique has been hailed by many as central to the resurgence of American metalsmithing. Paley began his career as a jeweler and his sculptures are similar explorations of form and composition, but with a surprisingly expressive range. His monumental works are featured in such institutions as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, and the Smithsonian's Renwick Gallery. Paley is represented at SOFA CHICAGO by Hawk Galleries, Columbus, OH, Leo Kaplan Modern, NY, NY, and Jerald Melberg Gallery, Charlotte, NC. Jerald Melberg said, “Paley’s experiments with iron and steel illustrate intriguing contradictions of movement and rigidity. Testaments to Paley's extraordinary work are tables and lamps adorned with seemingly impossible ribbons of steel. An excellent example is Soliloquy, a welded and forged steel writing desk with a mahogany top." Paley will make a SOFA Lecture Series presentation.

Olga de Amaral Imagen Perdida 31 (detail), 2003 Linen, silver leaf, acrylic 40 x 40" Bellas Artes/Thea Burger, New York, NY and Santa Fe, NM

Charlotte Kornstein of Bellas Artes/Thea Burger, Santa Fe, NM and New York, NY, will represent famed Columbian artist, Olga de Amaral, whose internationally acclaimed artworks resist narrow categorization, combining elements of fiber art, painting and sculpture. Kornstein writes, “The translation of Imagen Perdida is ‘Lost Image.’ Although de Amaral began this series almost 20 years ago, she remains fascinated with the many possible nuances. As a matter of fact, Number 1 in the series is currently on exhibit at the Colombian Embassy in Olga's show in Washington DC. This series has a magical quality because of the rich jewel tones and shimmering quality of the gold and silver leaf. As you walk past, the colors change. The special quality is the artist's attempt to recapture a beautiful vision, almost like a mirage.”

Wendy Ramshaw Prospero’s Table (detail), 2004 Mixed media 65 x 24.5” photo: Hungry Tiger The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh, Scotland (rollover image for fullsize view)

The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh, Scotland presents new work by famed British jeweler Wendy Ramshaw, renowned for her intricate brooches and rings on Perspex stands, and large-scale site-specific installations, including the ornamental gate for St. Johns College, Oxford and glass doors at Southwark Cathedral. Ramshaw will speak in the SOFA Lecture Series.

Goudji Le Bel Oiseleur Silver, pyrite, mother-of-pearl, purple wood & crystal rock Galerie Daniel Guidat, Cannes, France

Galerie Daniel Guidat, Cannes, France, will premiere new work by Goudji. Albert Felix III of Galerie Daniel Guidat, said, "Goudji's talent is unsurpassed and his works have brought beauty, coupled with historical value to private collections and museums for over thirty years. Goudji's creations incorporate combinations of silver, gold, glass, and precious stones. Le Bel Oiseleur represents a merchant of live birds in the Middle Ages, and is composed of silver with pyrite, mother-of-pearl, and purple wood. The pedestal is crystal rock encased on the top and bottom with silver. The pedestal rests on the backs of four lions."

Lina Faalkesgaard Rings, 2003 18 carat gold, Brazilian gold beryl Galerie Tactus, Copenhagen, Denmark	Gitte Bjørn Prolapse in 3 Stages, 2004 Objects / plastic, wood, silver 6.5 x 8 x 3” photo: Jesper Hyllermose Galerie Metal, Copenhagen, Denmark

Galerie Tactus and Galerie Metal of Copenhagen, Denmark lead the way at SOFA CHICAGO for contemporary European hollowware and jewelry, including new work by Danish designers and goldsmiths Lina Falkesgaard (Galerie Tactus) and Gitte Bjorn (Galerie Metal), who will both speak in the SOFA Lecture Series.

Klaus Bürgel Untitled Brooch, 2004 Hand-fabricated 18k gold 3.5 x 3x .5 Mobilia Gallery, Cambridge, MA

Mobilia Gallery, Cambridge, MA will present new work by Klaus Bürgel. Lawrence Rinder, Director of the CCAC Institute at California College of Arts and Crafts, said, “Bürgel's work exemplifies an important dimension of late twentieth-century jewelry art. In the tradition of the highly influential Munich-based jeweler Herman Jünger (with whom he studied), Bürgel creates works that are simultaneously austere and emotional. Their formal economy is inspired by natural forms as well as by the powerful simplicity of prehistoric wearable ornaments. This mode of jewelry art emphasizes the importance of craft, the highly skilled yet intuitive encounter with materials and processes of making.”

Norbert Muerrle Ying and Yang Ring, 2004 Platinum and diamonds in brilliant marquee cut Gallery Yann, Chicago, IL

Michael Zobel Cuff Bracelet 24K and 22K yellow gold, sterling silver, fire opals Aaron Faber Gallery, New York, NY

Other key galleries representing the world’s finest metalsmiths and jewelers include Charon Kransen, Ltd., New York; Sabbia and Gallery Yann, Chicago; The David Collection, Pound Ridge, NY; and Aaron Faber Gallery, New York, the latter celebrating its 30 year milestone with an expanded presentation at SOFA CHICAGO 2004. Edward and Patricia Faber will also participate in a SOFA Lecture Series presentation on the “rules of collecting” jewelry, with world-renowned jewelers Bernd Munsteiner and Michael Zobel.

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