PORTFOLIO

LYRICAL (ENTHIOS STUDIO)

1978–1980

This period marks the beginnings of my explorations as a stone sculptor. The materials were alabaster and the subject matter is traditionally focused on the lyrical line, whether representational or abstract.

Fear and Wonder
Fear and Wonder Alabaster 12 × 8 × 6" (Private Collection)
Mask
Mask Alabaster 12 × 8 × 6"
The Calling
The Calling Alabaster 30 × 20 × 14"
Sacral Vision
Sacral Vision Onyx 16 × 15 × 5"
Fertility Rite
Fertility Rite Alabaster 24 × 10 × 8"
Torso
Torso Alabaster 24 × 10 × 14" (Private Collection)
Moonstone
Moonstone Alabaster 9 × 16 × 4"
DreamShell
DreamShell Alabaster 17 × 4 × 4" (Private Collection)

ICEHOUSE ABSTRACT GEOMETRIC

1980–1984

This period represents an abandonment of the lyrical in favor of the hard geometric edge unusual in stone sculpture and an engagement with the stone as material especially the color and patterns that alabaster offers.

Cowrie
Cowrie Alabaster 6 × 17 × 7" (Private Collection)
Cross My Heart
Cross My Heart Alabaster 21 × 20 × 7"
Outpouring
Outpouring Alabaster 17 × 4.5 × 20"
Cairn
Cairn Alabaster 17 × 18 × 10.5" (Private Collection)
Untitled work
Untitled work
Untitled work

ARTEFACTOTEM SERIES (STRONG STEEL BUILDING)

1989–1992

After a stint as a professional mover my work transformed in size and materials. No longer carving, I approached stone as purely material and added other common materials to explore ideas and symbols.

Nailed
Nailed Stone and nails 48 × 40 × 26"
Mr. Potato Head
Mr. Potato Head Stone and nails 15 × 10 × 6"
Trinity: The Father
Trinity: The Father Wood, nails, hair 6' × 6' × 4"
Trinity: The Son
Trinity: The Son Wood, staples, plexiglass mirror, hair 6' × 6' × 3"
Trinity: The Holy Ghost
Trinity: The Holy Ghost Wood, plexiglass mirror, nails 6' × 6' × 3"
CrossHairs
CrossHairs Wood, hair, charcoal 6' × 6' × 3"
Decalogue
Decalogue Wood, plexiglass mirror, nails, paint 44 × 32 × 12"
Abraxas
Abraxas Wood, plexiglass mirror, nails, cloth, bird skeleton & feather, stone, wire 8 × 4 × 2'
Box of Awe (Closed)
Box of Awe (Closed) Pressboard, plexiglass mirror, nails, paint 10 × 10 × 18" (Collection of the artist)
Box of Awe (Open)
Box of Awe (Open) Pressboard, plexiglass mirror, nails, paint 10 × 10 × 18" (Collection of the artist)

MONOPOLYLITH SERIES (STRONG STEEL AND ART CITY)

1992–1995

The Monopolylith series represents approaching stone as purely material from the viewpoint of mass, weight, and density. Using previous techniques of nails and wire and using a wooden armature, these works appear weightless and impossible.

Wall
Wall Sandstone, wood, nails, wire 10' × 5' × 36"
Tower
Tower Sandstone, wood, nails, wire 8 × 2 × 2'
Cone
Cone Sandstone, wood, nails, wire 52" × 3' × 3'
Off the Wall I
Off the Wall I Sandstone, wood, nails, wire 5' × 18" × 18"
Off the Wall II
Off the Wall II Stone, wood, nails, wire 5' × 4' × 18"
Installation of Wall (at Art City)
Installation of Wall (at Art City) Stone, wood, nails, wire 10 × 5 × 3'
Installation of Wall (at Art City, Ventura)
Installation of Wall (at Art City, Ventura) Stone, wood, nails, wire 10 × 5 × 3'

PRESS

Los Angeles Times (Ventura Edition), February 27, 1992
“Going Public: Ventura artist Szaja Gottlieb makes a big statement with his sculptures.”