Artwork Description
United
Dimensions: 43 x 47 x 18″
Year: 2016
Media: steel and stainless steel
Karen Yank – United is a classic example of Yank’s usage of the circle, the cross, and the line. The harshly layered geometric shape of this piece gives it enormous dimension. Yank’s affinity for the interacting circle and line shapes come from an inspiration of the union between the earth and the sky, as well as other circular and linear elements of nature, such as the sun, the moon, and the cycle of life. In doing this, she pays homage to her late mentor, Agnes Martin, as well.
Yank also introduces the cross very directly in this piece, as well as what it symbolizes: intersection, union, and the marking of a specific place in space or time. The circle, the line, and the cross are inspired by their frequent appearances through history; the three themes date back to the Stone Age and are as old as culture and civilization itself.
Yank is often inspired by the picturesque landscapes of New Mexico, and describes her work as representing not only the nature itself, but rather the emotional impact that one feels when immersed in nature.
Yank primarily works in mixed metals to create her mesmerizing sculptures, citing their strength and durability.
Many of Yank’s award-winning works are featured in museums and galleries throughout the United States. This, along with the large number of public works she has produced, primarily throughout the Southwest, undoubtedly makes her the most established sculptor in the state of New Mexico.
Yank’s work will be featured in an exhibition called “Karen Yank and Agnes Martin: Student and Mentor” at Turner Carroll Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the summer of 2018.
Lillie Guo