Artwork Description
Small XO
Dimensions: 9.75 x 9.75 x 2″
Year: 2013
Media: steel and stainless steel
Karen Yank – Small XO is another accompanying piece in Yank’s “XO” series, which originated in 2005 at an exhibition in Chelsea, New York as a powerful statement of empathy for the people of New York following the 9/11 attacks. She has continued to work with this theme to further embody her hopes for a peaceful and harmonious world.
The piece classically combines three of Yank’s most prominently featured themes: the circle, the line, and the intersection. The circle, representative of the enormous number of circular elements in nature, such as the dome of the sky, the moon, the sun, and the cycle of life, is frequently juxtaposed with the line, as seen in Small XO. The line, which pays homage to Yank’s late mentor Agnes Martin, represents the horizon line; the interaction between the circle and the line effectively portray the meeting of the earth and the sky as well as the relationship between student and teacher.
The cross, on the other hand, is representative of an intersection, a meeting point, a specific point in time or space. The use of the cross and the circle can be dated to as early as the Stone Age, and Yank takes inspiration from 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