Artwork Description
Karen Yank – A Slice III
Dimensions: 72 x 10 x 6″ / 72 x 10 x 6″ finished size
Year: 2018
Medium: steel and stainless steel
Karen Yank – A Slice III calls to mind Yank’s piece “A Slice II”, although the two pieces differ in size and color. “A Slice III” is both elegant and simple; the piece subtly employs both the line and the circle, two elements that Yank frequently features in her works. Looking at the piece head-on, the piece appears as a line; however, seeing the piece from either side allows the viewer to see the its depth, forcing the viewer to infer a large circle from the slice presented. The circle, an element common in Yank’s pieces, can represent the enormous number of circular things within nature, such as the sun, the moon, and the cycle of life. The line, on the other hand, pays homage to Yank’s late mentor Agnes Martin, and portrays the boundary splitting the sky and the earth. Circles and lines are frequently seen interacting within Yank’s works, representative of both the dome of the sky meeting the horizon line as well as the relationship between student and teacher.
Yank is often inspired by the picturesque landscapes of New Mexico, and describes her work as representing not only the nature itself, but rather the emotional impact that one feels when immersed in nature.
Yank primarily works in mixed metals to create her mesmerizing sculptures, citing their strength and durability.
Many of Yank’s award-winning works are featured in museums and galleries throughout the United States. This, along with the large number of public works she has produced, primarily throughout the Southwest, undoubtedly makes her the most established sculptor in the state of New Mexico.
Yank’s work will be featured in an exhibition with her mentor Agnes Martin at New Mexico State University’s new museum in 2020.
Lillie Guo