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Join us for an inclusive and enlightening event to explore Karen Yank's latest public sculpture commission, 'Crossroads,' currently on display at Container Art Space in Santa Fe. In July, this sculpture will find its permanent home at the Columbia/Colorado roundabout in Bend, Oregon.
At 5 pm, Karen will share her journey in creating this project and her already established public works across the country. This talk is a unique opportunity for everyone, from seasoned collectors to curious students, to learn about her experiences in a male-dominated field and her innovative educational approach to public outreach. We welcome you, regardless of your background or level of interest in art, to come prepared with questions.
Karen Yank, a highly esteemed sculptor, has established herself as one of the most collectible sculptors in the U.S. She has completed some of the most significant public sculptural works in the Southwest and exhibited her sculptures in numerous museums. Yank, who received her MFA degree from Rutgers University and her BFA from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, was mentored by the renowned contemporary artist Agnes Martin. Yank's adoption of the circle, a shape mimicking the curve where the earth meets the sky, as her more organic signature shape, is a testament to her unique artistic vision. Her use of industrial metal materials juxtaposed with the circle, an all-encompassing, eternal symbol of nature, further showcases her creativity and skill.
Many museum and public collections feature Yank's sculptures, including the New Mexico Museum of Art, Albuquerque Museum, New Mexico State University Art Museum, University of New Mexico Museum, New Mexico State Capitol Art Collection, and the Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet in NYC. Karen has completed over fifty large-scale public commissions to date. Her public works can be displayed all over New Mexico and in numerous other city and state collections across the United States. The Turner Carroll Gallery in Santa Fe and Atelier Newport on the East Coast represent Yank.
Yank's efforts have been recognized with awards for aesthetics and public involvement. These awards include the prestigious PRIDE Award from the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, the Golden Cumbre Award from the New Mexico Public Relations Society of America, and the Americans for the Arts Kris Art of Giving Award. In 2022, she was honored with the Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts, which serves as a testament to her significant contributions to the art world.
Yank's choice of materials, including Cor-ten, steel, and stainless steel, is a testament to her meticulous approach. These materials, known for their weather-resistant strength and durability, are ideally suited for diverse weather conditions. Their use in her sculptures ensures their longevity and provides a visually stunning and varied tactile presence through the different surface textures and colors. Yank's public sculptures retain their beauty after two decades, requiring no maintenance. Moreover, her works are all ADA-compliant and engineered appropriately for high-traffic public locations, further highlighting her commitment to accessibility and durability.