sculpture

Wyoming Women to Watch

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In partnership with the Wyoming Committee of National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) in Washington, D.C., Clay Paper Scissors Gallery & Studio is honored to present the five Wyoming artists who were shortlisted for New Worlds: Women to Watch 2024, a biennial exhibition that shines a light on underrepresented regional artists. Wyoming Women to Watch will be on display through October 19, 2024 at Clay Paper Scissors Gallery & Studio in Cheyenne with a special performance by artist Sarah Ortegon HighWalking during the October 4 Artwalk (performance at 7:30 PM; Artwalk runs from 5-8 PM).


This marks the first time Wyoming is represented in the critically acclaimed international series, thanks to passion of NMWA board member and Wyoming Committee founder Lisa Claudy Fleischman (1958-2023). Under her leadership, a dozen influential women from throughout the state joined forces to fundraise and advocate for Wyoming artists. Unlike a standard group show, this exhibition allows each artist their own space to express their individual process and practice. Selected by Wyoming curator Dr. Tammi Hanawalt, the show honors each artist’s singular voice. NMWA curators ultimately selected Sarah Ortegon HighWalking (Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho), whose work combines painting, beadwork, and performance to retell narratives of modern Indigenous women.


Throughout the selection process, the five artists, along with the committee members, uplifted and celebrated each other. The result of this collaboration and support, Wyoming Women to Watch showcases the work of Sarah Ortegon HighWalking alongside the ephemeral land art of Jennifer Rife (Cheyenne), the undulating ceramic installation of Bronwyn Minton (Jackson), the miniature anthropomorphized insects of Leah Hardy, and the attention to overlooked moments of Katy Ann Fox (Jackson). Together, these five visionary artists present a connection between human interaction with the natural world.

All photos courtesy of Jennifer Rife.

Shoulders of Giants

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Benchmark (C.M. Russell, 1824-1926) by David K. Klarén. Graphite on Arches Cover, 2011, 68 x 52.5″

Shoulders of Giants features large scale graphite works by Pinedale artist David K. Klarén. These large pieces seem to float on the wall, as they are unframed and the hanging system is invisible to the viewer. Based on iconic images from pre-history to the present, these images pay homage to the many influences on any artist. The exhibition includes some sculptural pieces, including one based on the Venus of Willendorf, carved from wood and covered in a shining layer of graphite. The Venus, and indeed all the artworks in the exhibition, is on a much larger scale than the original piece. Additionally, the original Venus is smooth, while Klarén’s version is gorgeously accented by the wood grain. This stunning show is a must see!

An image of the show on display with Venus (Willendorf, Austria, 23,000 BCE) in the foreground. Other sculptures behind and to the left, Saqqara Bird (Saqqara, Egypt, 2000 BCE) and Stargazer (Cycladic, 5000 BCE). Drawings include Essence (Deborah Butterfield 1999) and Document (Altamira, Spain 34,000 BCE). Both drawings are graphite on Arches Cover. All artwork by David K. Klarén. Sculptures are wood and graphite; drawings are graphite on Arches Cover.