Sasha Koozel Reibstein: Even the Ground Gives Way is on view at Duane Reed Gallery, St. Louis
June 24 – August 6, 2022
Duane Reed Gallery is pleased to announce Even the Ground Gives Way, a new solo exhibition by Sasha Koozel Reibstein.
“My work is centered around ideas of transformation, mystery and the sublime. I want to probe the boundaries of our understanding of ourselves and the world around us by creating forms that are simultaneously recognizable and enigmatic, evoking equal parts curiosity and unease. I often play with balance and fragility in these forms through tenuous and off kilter drip formations that simultaneously appear to be rising and falling, abstractly depicting creatures either on the brink of collapse or mid-awakening.
The materiality of my work also incorporates this transformative element as malleable clay becomes permanently altered into ceramic through fire and cultivated crystals react to moisture and sunlight, allowing them to slowly evolve over time with subtle alterations of color and surface quality. Both of these materials inherently contain an element of mystery, inspiring alchemy and wonder. My usage of glitter has a similar aim, taking advantage of its mysterious origin and allure. It has been theorized that our attraction to glitter is based in our instinctual need to seek out the sparkle of fresh water for sustenance and survival, allowing us to have a universal attraction to its iridescence and shimmer.
Recent works have also included more representational elements, depicting flora, fauna and rock which merge and metamorphize from one into the other. These are inspired by the vanitas tradition, exploring mortality and our ephemeral life cycle. Through this combination of realism and fantasy, these works aim to create an immersive experience of wonder that evokes contemplation about beauty and the unknown.”
Sasha Koozel Reibstein is the head of the ceramics program at Palomar College, San Marcos, CA. Reibstein has been exhibited extensively throughout the US and in Denmark, China, and Germany. Their work can be found in the permanent collections at the International Ceramic Research Center, Denmark, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, and the Center for Ceramics, Berlin.
Contact
info@duanereedgallery.com
Duane Reed Gallery
4729 McPherson Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63108
United States
Photo captions
- Melt, 2022, 23” x 17” x 18”, Ceramic, 24k gold
- A Few Noiseless Snowflakes, 2022, 22” x 15” x 18”, Ceramic, mother of pearl
- Moon Wobble, 2022, 16” x 9” x 10”, Porcelain, 22k white gold, flock
- Even The Ground Gives Way, 2022, 16” x 12” x 10”, Porcelain, platinum, flock
- Burst and Bloom, 2022, 15” x 13” x 10”, Porcelain, mother of pearl
- Firnification, 2021, 10.5” x 8” x 6”, Porcelain, mother of pearl
- Budding #1, 2022, 6” x 5” x 4”, Ceramic, 24k gold
- Budding #2, 2022, 6” x 4” x 5”, Ceramic, 22k white gold
- Budding #3, 2022, 5” x 3” x 3”, Ceramic, electro-optical suspension
- To Dream a Little Dream #2, 2022, 4” x 6” x 4”, Porcelain, 24k gold
- To Dream a Little Dream #3, 2022, 6” x 4” x 4”, Porcelain, mother of pearl
- To Dream a Little Dream #4, 2022, 4” x 6” x 3.5”, Porcelain, 22k white gold
