Amy Sol posted images of Rebekah Bogard's studio recently on facebook, my jaw dropped as I checked out her ceramic sculptures. I raced to her website and honestly was floored by the beauty and complexity in her sculptures. As a woman myself, I often think about gender in art, so I was really stoked to read about her thoughts behind her work:
I employ fictional animals in my artwork to explore the narrative of my life and my own personal history as they provide me with both anonymity and security to the secrets I reveal. I enjoy utilizing animals because they are beautiful and mysterious creatures, vulnerable to relations with humans. This susceptibility gives them a sense of benevolence that is often lacking in human associations. I use this vulnerability as a source of power. It takes a brave and confident person or animal to make themselves vulnerable, for they must have the strength to withstand the consequences...(read more here)
Be sure to check out the rest of her work, hot damn it's rad. Rebekah will be taking part in the 2009 Kokeshi Exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum in LA (July11-Oct 4, 2009), where she has been invited to make a kokeshi inspired sculpture. Awesome.
