Artwork Description
In or Out
Dimensions: 17.5 x 17.5 x 1″
Year: 2013
Media: steel
Karen Yank – In or Out is an excellent representation of Yank’s affinity for utilizing the circle and the line. The circle, inspired by nature itself and all of its circular elements, such as the sun, the moon, the dome of the sky, and the cycle of life, is often juxtaposed with the line, representative of the boundary between the earth and the sky. The lines of this piece run vertically and in four layers; within them lie even smaller diagonal or horizontal lines that both intersect and join together. The two interconnected shapes of the line and the circle are consistently seen interacting in Yank’s sculptures, representative of both the relationship between her and her late mentor, Agnes Martin, and the connection between the earth and the sky.
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