Karen Yank – Forty Nine

$5,500

SKU: 23625

Artwork Description

Forty Nine

Dimensions: 36 x 36 x 3″
Year: 2017
Media: steel and stainless steel

Karen Yank – Forty Nine is an excellent example of Yank’s overarching usage of the line and the circle. The many circles that appear in this piece are representative of the seemingly infinite number of circular elements that occupy nature, such as the dome of the sky, the sun, the moon, and the cycle of life. These shapes also form an organized array of very prominent vertical lines, which represent the boundary that splits the earth and the sky. Simultaneously, the use of the line pays homage to Yank’s late mentor, Agnes Martin. Yank often juxtaposes these two shapes, portraying both the interaction between the earth and the sky as well as the relationship between student and teacher. Elements like the circle and the line have been in use dating back as early as the Stone Age, and Yank finds inspiration in their rich histories.
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 called “Karen Yank and Agnes Martin: Student and Mentor” at Turner Carroll Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the summer of 2018.
Lillie Guo