into-the-storm_sm
UK Artist Cat Vitebsky’s Into the Storm, bronze

 

Zoomorphs: Experiments in Bronze Vitebsky  closes Oct 15.  It was a hit for the Vincennes public. Attendance was high, and thanks to loyal collectors, ASV broke the record in sales during opening night of the September First Friday Art Walk. For those who have not seen the show, Vitebsky has created small figurative works in cast bronze that, as she states: “explore themes of mythology and of the human condition while also celebrating the dynamism and beauty of the human form. “ The connection of shamanistic cultures with nature, the influences of her mentor, Laurence Edwards, and the process of casting bronze have been inspirations for Vitebsky as her merging of human and animal forms creates new incarnations from both ancient Greek and Eveny mythologies.

Many of the pieces were made specifically for the exhibition at Art Space Vincennes over the course of two years. The concept of the show originated when owners Andy Jendrzejewski and Amy DeLap found Vitebsky’s work at an Artists’ Open Studio event while visiting in Cambridge, England during the summer of 2014. Cat and her husband visited the gallery in June this year, but were unable to return for September’s opening; their first child, Solomon, was born September 18. Vitebsky’s childhood experiences in Russia were a significant inspiration for the show. She traveled with her anthropologist father to Arctic Siberia where he studied the

Vitebsky’s childhood experiences in Russia were a significant inspiration for the show. She traveled with her anthropologist father to Arctic Siberia where he studied the Eveny peoples, a migrating community whose lives are based on herding reindeer, a way of life thousands of years old. The recent arrival of Communism all but destroyed the community by disrupting their balance with nature in attempts to make them conform to the arbitrary bureaucracy of totalitarianism. As the power of Communism waned, however, there has been a fragile resurgence of the old ways, though the complexities of herding reindeer and their survival in extreme climates are understood now by only a few. Don’t miss the show, if you haven’t seen it. It closes October 15!

Don’t miss the show, if you haven’t seen it. It closes October 15!

Art Space Vincennes

521 Main Street, Vincennes

Hours are T – F 12 – 5; Sat 11 – 5

812-887-6145