Art as Environment

  Solomon Dubnick Gallery presents works dealing with indoor or outdoor environment. The art may be functional or nonfunctional but used to enhance the home environment in an unusual and/or decorative manner. Such original works as basketry, textiles, glass, art furniture, stone and water sculptures, architectural or ornamental enhancements, and specially constructed sculptural stands make for unique environmental installations.

This presentation offers an exhilarating look far beyond a department store vignette. Environmental art creates an exciting and unique way to give artistic comfort and inspiration. It is an opportunity to reflect a collector’s personal preferences.

As more home businesses occur coupled with today’s computer age, some homemakers have steered away from corporate America. They seek the relaxation of both city and country life in the comfort of their specialized environment. The exhibition provides an escape into the inner reflections and passions of the original art form giving the emotional impact of relaxation. It is an opportunity for the needed reflection of the occupants desires for comfort both indoors and the private surroundings of one’s personal landscape.

 

Metta, Copyright 2005, Christensen-Arner -- Click to Expand... Line of Grace, Copyright 2005, Christensen-Arner -- Click to Expand... Mountain Song, Copyright 2005, Christensen-Arner -- Click to Expand...

Cherie Christensen and Franz Arner have been designing gardens and carving stone for over thirty years.  Their work has been commissioned by some of the most acclaimed architects, landscape architects and designers in America.  The three water sculptures now in our new exhibition are stunning examples of their creative work. Each is suitable for both indoor and outdoor placement.  Water sculptures are not like fountains in that they do not splash.  The works reflect the beauty and simplicity of natural stone shapes. Each sculpture, individually hand-carved and one-of-a kind, generates a peaceful harmony with the sound of moving water with the stillness of a quiet pool.  Commissions for specific places can be discussed with the gallery and the artists.
Balancing Act #2, Copyright 2004, Charles Cobb -- Click to Expand... Balancing Act #5, Copyright Redwood, Charles Cobb -- Click to Expand... Balancing Act #4, Copyright 2004, Charles Cobb -- Click to Expand...
"Sculptchair" Series #1, #3, #2, Copyright 2004, Charles Cobb -- Click to Expand...

Charles Cobb’s elegant works deal with constructing organic and geometric sculpture out of a natural edged piece of wood. He creates several bodies of themed pieces. These include book-matched woods as wall hung cabinets, entryway works, stylish chair designs, primitive-themed sculptures, clocks, and square-formatted wall-hung sculptures. A variety of woods are used such as Curly Maple, Poplar, Lacewood, Claro Walnut and African Wenge.

Comfort, Copyright 2004, Susan Else -- Click to Expand... Future Ruins, Copyright 2001/2005, Susan Else -- Click to Expand... Time Bandits, Copyright 2003, Susan Else -- Click to Expand...
Early Housecat, Copyright 2001, Susan Else -- Click to Expand... Lava Man takes a Break, Copyright 2004, Susan Else -- Click to Expand... Too Much to Do, Copyright 2002, Susan Else -- Click to Expand...

Susan Else works in fabric and constructs unusual sculpture using cloth.  The works is whimsical, surreal, funny and sometimes even disturbing.  She generally focuses on daily routines. Else challenges viewers to determine how the sculpture is fabricated.  The work is volumetric in form as she takes the cloth material to a new dimension. The imagination that is portrayed in her body of work seems almost impossible to create with this medium.
Central Park (installation), Copyright 2005, Phill Evans -- Click to Expand...   Central Park (detail), Copyright 2005, Phill Evans -- Click to Expand...

This fun and adventurous project by sculptor Phill Evans consists of diverse elements, some kinetic, some static.  Titled "Central Park," together they comprise a memorial to fraternity, family and the timelessness of change. 

Bridge, Copyright 2005, Kevin Petelle -- Click to Expand... Crouching Man, Copyright 2005, Kevin Petelle -- Click to Expand... Duo, Copyright 2005, Kevin Petelle -- Click to Expand...
Evolution in 3 Acts, Copyright 2005, Kevin Petelle -- Click to Expand... Exhalation (front and side views shown), Copyright 2005, Kevin Petelle -- Click to Expand... Pregnant Nude, Copyright 2005, Kevin Petelle -- Click to Expand...

Internationally recognized bronze sculptor, Kevin Petelle is known for his stunning figurative nudes. He works in the relationships of light and shadow, positive and negative space and mass and balance. He is attracted to the medium of bronze because of the warmth, durability and its ability to accent form.

Petelle works three major scales.  His maquettes are a more intimate experience starting with gesture, anatomy, composition and balance. From these small works he develops his mid-size works. This is purely an intuitive decision. Some pieces are then made into very large scale bronzes, some as much as 20 feet or more.

The Petelle’s have a foundry in the Northwest where he is able to experiment with the lost wax bronze casting. Commissions are available through our gallery.

Heron Boat, Copyright 2005, Paul Reiber -- Click to Expand... Night and Day Chairs, Copyright 2005, Paul Reiber -- Click to Expand...
Woman, Copyright 2005, Paul Reiber -- Click to Expand... Iris Head Board, Copyright 2005, Paul Reiber -- Click to Expand...

Paul Reiber's unique works are drawn by his distinctive style defined by strong sculpture and relief carving. His designs range from traditional forms embellished with floral carving to highly sculptural pieces featuring the human form. Although he has focused on the chair and its variations, he also creates beds, tables, mantels, doors, frames and sculptural pieces.
Albino (installation), Copyright 2005, Shirley Wiebe -- Click to Expand... Albino (detail), Copyright 2005, Shirley Wiebe -- Click to Expand... Albino (detail), Copyright 2005, Shirley Wiebe -- Click to Expand...

Shirley Wiebe sculpts unusual works for gardens and homes using a variety of materials. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. Much of her works fits in the natural outdoors. In the case of the Albino Fern displayed in this exhibition, she has installed two ferns into a lovely backyard in our area. The fern is made from galvanized steel and may be commissioned in sizes as small as 18” high to the one seen in this image. The fern flutters in the wind and is very strong.  Wiebe has installed one in our gallery with river rock in an attractive pot imbedded with concrete. These elegant ferns may be special ordered through our gallery.

Bass in your Dreams, Copyright 1999, Velda Newman -- Click to Expand...

Velda Newman is an internationally recognized contemporary quilt artist, author and lecturer from Northern California. Known for her large scale, mostly organic designs, Velda creates original quilts of exceptional beauty and craftsmanship. For the past 18 years Velda's work has appeared in many national and international exhibitions and has been featured in over 30 publications, including Quilter's Newsletter and Threads magazine.

Blown Glass, 2005, Shofar -- Click to Expand... Assorted Pomegranates, Copyright 2005, Jonathan Tepperman -- Click to Expand...
Moe Koa Table (top view), Copyright 2005, Bobby Horiuchi -- Click to Expand... Assorted Glassware, Copyright 2005, Merrirose -- Click to Expand...
#4, Copyright Date Unknown, Antique American Indian Basket -- Click to Expand... #5, Copyright Date Unknown, Antique American Indian Basket -- Click to Expand... Apache Olla Basket, Copyright Date Unknown, Antique American Indian Basket -- Click to Expand...
Mission Olla Basket, Copyright Date Unknown, Antique American Indian Basket -- Click to Expand... Panamint Basket with Cover, Copyright Date Unknown, Antique American Indian Basket -- Click to Expand... Piute Seed Jar, Copyright Date Unknown, Antique American Indian Basket -- Click to Expand...
Pomo Basket, Copyright Date Unknown, Antique American Indian Basket -- Click to Expand... Pomo Oval Boat Basket, Copyright Date Unknown, Antique American Indian Basket -- Click to Expand... Yokut Bowl, Copyright Date Unknown, Antique American Indian Basket -- Click to Expand...
Pomo Basket #4, Copyright Date Unknown, Antique American Indian Basket -- Click to Expand... Yokut Bowl with Cover, Copyright Date Unknown, Antique American Indian Basket -- Click to Expand...

Antique American Indian Basketry

Admired for the artistic design and artistry, American Indian baskets were made to serve all the container needs of the early California Indians who had no pottery. Hand-woven, but filled with meaningful design and symbols, some baskets have stories filled with tribal traditions. The weavers exercised artistic freedom and often left their individual marks. Recently an American Indian Basket went for $750,000 at a major auction house. It was originally purchased for just a few dollars.

The gallery is displaying for sale eighteen baskets from Northern California Indians and Apache Indians of Arizona and New Mexico. It is a pleasure to introduce a selection of Authentic Indian American Baskets for our viewers in this Art as Environment exhibition.

Inquires as to additional baskets are welcome.