catalogue

Star Liana York “Living With Art Outside”

125 West Palace Avenue, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87501, 505.501.6555 + 828 Main Avenue, Durango, Colorado, 81301, 970.247.3555

Star Liana York “Living With Art Outside”

Sorrel Sky Gallery will present the sculpture of Abiquiu artist, Star Liana York during the First Friday Art Walk on July 3. York is one of Southwest Art’s 30 most influential artists and her bronze sculptures can be seen in public spaces throughout the West. For the July event, Star plans to present her work in a new and fun setting. Sorrel Sky Gallery will be adorned with foliage of all kinds and her sculptures will be set amongst the greenery.

“It should be fun to show people how sculpture can be expanded to be shown outdoors so they don’t have to necessarily show it in their houses. Small patios and intimate outdoor spaces can lend more focus to those outdoor areas and give them the feel of a sanctuary,” York said of the unique show.

The Maryland native has lived in Abiquiu about 30 miles north of Santa Fe for the last 20 years and has become renowned for her life-sized bronze works depicting wildlife and American Indian imagery. She said the Southwestern climate is ideal for outdoor bronze sculpture, as the patinas stand up well over time to the drier climes of the region. Sorrel Sky Gallery owner Shanan Campbell Wells has no reservations about transforming her Santa Fe and Durango galleries to make Star’s creations feel a bit more at home.

“Star has a wonderful idea for this show to set her new pieces in a beautiful garden setting and each of our galleries is going to be transformed by her art and the fantastic foliage,” Wells said.

York also will appear at Sorrel Sky’s Durango location for the First Thursday Art Walk on July 2.

Sorrel Sky Gallery’s fresh approach to Western art presents a select collection of contemporary and traditional fine art and jewelry for the discerning collector. Sorrel Sky Gallery was founded in Durango, CO in 2002 and opened its Santa Fe, NM location in 2014. It represents over 60 painters, sculptors and jewelers including bronze artist Star Liana York, painter Billy Schenck, and Ben Nighthorse, among others.

“She is known as much for her talent as she is for the variety of work she creates.”

Star Liana York grew up in Maryland, daughter of a professional ballerina and a talented woodworker. She

attended the University of Maryland, the Institute of Art in Baltimore and Corcoran College of Art and

Design in Washington, D.C. In 1985, Star moved to New Mexico, where she currently lives and works in

the beautiful rural landscape of Abiquiu.

Known for her versatility and depth of stylistic interpretation, a significant source of inspiration for Star’s

work comes from Native American and Western cultures. Her sensitivity captures the cultural identity of

her subjects whether indigenous inhabitants or characters inhabiting the ranch lifestyle and celebrates them

by preserving her observations in bronze.

Horses have been another source of inspiration. Since the purchase of her first horse in high school, Star has

been intrigued by the fluidity of line and mass of the equine anatomy as well as by the animal’s fiery instincts. Her sculptural depictions of the horse

are based on her interpretation of the equine image throughout history. A prominent sculptor Star was chosen as one of the 30 most influential artists

by Southwest Art magazine. Her work has been featured on the cover of numerous publications including Southwest Art, Art Talk, New Mexico and

The Equine Image.

In 1999, the artist was honored with a solo exhibition at the prestigious Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and has shown her work in numerous

galleries and museums. Her work is held in collections worldwide.

Pasatiempo – “York’s body of work reflects the Southwest’s history and cultural diversity. Mythology and the mysteries of

sacred sites also infuse her catalogue.”

Art of the West – “Star York’s sculptures have earned her an enviable reputation as a talented artist, whose works are a

delightful combination of composition and color

Touch The Earth Bronze

Corn pollen is a sacred part of ritual blessings and prayers in many Native

American cultures. “Touch the Earth” was inspired by this ancient tradition. In some tribes, pollen is used for blessing the most simple act, person or

place, as well as in the most elaborate ceremonies. In "Touch the Earth", the woman is using the pollen for a prayer. The hawk suggests the strength of the

pollen's power, and she is barefoot, touching the earth to further open the channel between herself and the spirit world. Edition 27/35. 54.25”x48”x23”

Cat Call Maquette

Sold

Guffaw bronze

Ravens will sometimes perch on the telephone poles at the entrance to our ranch, and when I go out to ride will chatter as if they wish me to acknowledge their presence. Sometimes they will fly along with us on the ride…. behavior which I find charming and beguiling indeed!

Kokopelli Bronze

This sculpture depicts, “Kokopelli”, the mythical character of the Pueblo culture.

Puppy Love Bronze This sculpture displays the innate empathy that exists between young animals from different species.

Catamount Bronze

Star Liana York captures the individual personality of the animals she represents. Star says, “animals, whether domesticated or wild, have a character as individual as humans, and sometimes reflect this character in their facial or body expressions. The capturing of a telltale gesture or

glance is what I find rewarding in these works.” Edition 6/10.

Granma’s Gifts Bronze

Whether seen as gifts of the dolls, or gifts of her stories that pass the legacy of their people to the younger generation, the essence of this sculpture is the value of this giving relationship between grandmother and child. The elders of all cultures are the wisdom keepers, those who can pass down invaluable lessons through stories, legends, and example. In Pueblo cultures of the Southwest, such elders instill a sense of virtue, self-worth, and tribal pride through stories involving deities called Kachinas. These Kachinas play a crucial role in the survival and spirituality of the people. Kachina dolls are given to young girls to help teach them the significance of various deities. Here the "mudheads," the "koshare,” and the kachina "mother" and "maiden" represent the traditional tribal dolls. To acknowledge the outside influences in today's Pueblo cultures, a teddy bear and sock monkey join the audience, and listen with the granddaughter to ancient legends. Bronze, 24” x 24” x 24”, Edition 24/35.

Jokester Bronze

‘Raven’ is defined in the dictionary as, “talk intended to charm or beguile,” and, “idle chatter”. These Ravens often visit the huge cottonwood outside my studio and begin an amazing array of vocalizations….chattering away until I come out to interact with them. 10.5”x9”x14”, Bronze, Edition:6/35

Missing Lynx

Bronze

Since her childhood, York has been drawn to the animal kingdom. She is interested in portraying a sense of individual character and personality in each of her animal sculptures. Bronze 13” x 40” x 24”, Edition #15/35. 50 lbs.

Fabric of Life, “To Market” Bronze A mature woman and weaving artist at this stage of her life, Nizhoni travels to market with the weavings of her family. She is a mother with her own grown daughter now, and she proudly carries the precious cargo of three generations; her mother's, her daughter's and her own. . . blankets woven from their own hands with skill, care, and love. Bronze, 25.5” x 25” x 10”, edition no. 6/35.

In Full Bloom Bronze This sculpture depicts a young Navajo woman celebrating a moment. Dressed in her traditional skirt, shawl, and moccasins, and adorned in jewelry crafted by artisans in her tribe, she is feeling beautiful. She lifts and flutters her skirt in a twirl as she celebrates her femininity. She is excited, but as indicative in her Navajo culture, she is also shy and hesitant in her self-expression. Like the rose in her hair, she is in full bloom. She is beginning her journey into womanhood. Despite many tensions over the years, there is a great deal of Spanish influence in Navajo culture. The rose in her hair signifies a nod of appreciation to those Spanish influences, some of which include the introduction of sheep, which led to the creation of Navajo weaving and the art of silversmithing. Bronze, 30” x 24” x 24”, edition AP4.

Make Way For Goslings

Bronze

Lilly’s Lullaby Bronze

Star Liana York originally created this interactive sculpture

as a centerpiece for a dining room table, but it can be featured in any area where a low sitting sculpture is

needed. The goslings and mother goose can be moved and arranged with ease. Edition 2/35.

Coyote Family Bronze

Virgin Spring Bronze

Please Contact us at

Sorrel Sky Gallery

to inquire after works in this catalogue.

125 West Palace Avenue, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87501, 505.501.6555

+ 828 Main Avenue, Durango, Colorado, 81301,

970.247.3555