Masterworks Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand

Bright Masses - Katherine Rutecki
5 - 24 July 2016
preview Wednesday 6th July from 5.30pm

Bright Masses will be an exciting opportunity to see the latest developments in the art practice of Katherine Rutecki. Katherine is currently back on summer break from her postgraduate studies at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Illinois, USA, where Katherine is an MFA candidate in Glass. 

Originally from New York, Katherine Rutecki attained a BFA in Sculpture from Alfred University, New York College of Ceramics. Birds have provided the visual vocabulary for Katherine's sculptures from the beginning. Working predominantly in glass Katherine is interested in how the translucency and luminosity of glass can enhance her exploration into human emotions. In Katherine's previous work birds act as metaphors for the human experience. The at times frantic, often dark and even violent energy of earlier compositions has over time been transformed into more intimate and enveloping forms that evoke a greater sense of calm. For this latest series Katherine has put her bird vernacular aside for more organic forms that more closely reference the body.
 
‘These forms with life castings of my own nipples represent the private moments of motherhood and the duality of the mother as both sexual being and nurturer of children. Motherhood is comprised of private moments and affected by the public sphere. My work is a celebration of everyday life as a mother, parenting is repetitive and gross, beautiful and a constant source of amazement. The dividing forms represent a division of self, the division of a mother’s life before and after babies and the struggle to retain self‐identity throughout; also physically, the division of child from mother’s body and post birth attachment. The forms swell and grow out of the wall, they absorb light and colour shift throughout the day, and even seem awake at night, like icons they cast a benevolence in to the room.’ - Katherine Rutecki 2016.

Please join us and Katherine to celebrate the first showing of her latest work and her wintery 'Summer break' in Aotearoa.