Francesca

by Kelsey Zalimeni

Carole Feuerman has established a certain signature style of sculpture that conveys balance, peace, and the natural beauty of the human body.  'Francesca' evokes these qualities, but also branches into ideals of solitude and contemplation.  Seemingly locked in a state of endless meditation, the figure brings out a more solemn side to Carole's expressions.  

'Francesca', 2008-2011

Oil on Resin, 35 x 18.5 x 9 inches, Private collection

Her hands are clasped behind her back, but her posture is relaxed.  While viewers aren't privy to her exact thoughts, one might imagine the swimmer is lost in a daydream or  simply resting after a rigorous pool workout.  Her aura is both cool and positive, focused but free of worry.  This pensive figure is surely a unique feature within Carole's oeuvre- a little different, but in line with the artist's ethos. 

Tree

by Kelsey Zalimeni

Carole Feuerman's 'Tree' invests the human form with refreshing simplicity and innocent purity.  Delicately posed with a downward gaze, the figure emanates a coy comfortability in her state of exposure.  Her slender frame and dainty features imply both a gentle nature and physical youth.

'Tree with Leaves', 2011

Oil on Resin Sculpture with Interactive Projection, Dimensions Variable, Private Collection

The swim cap upon her head is green and leafy, purposing itself as an organic adornment in place of its usual utility role. The tree stump beneath the figure reinforces the naturalistic theme while serving as a pedestal.  Tying the piece together is the multicolor digital projection of leaves onto the surface.  This mechanism adds a layer of complexity to the work, as it fuses a classic form of artmaking with new media. This sculpture floats between dreamlike and realist, innocence and confidence... which, in turn, is truly ideal.

The Message

by Kelsey Zalimeni

Carole Feuerman's bronze sculpture 'The Message' recalls simpler times of communication, before the days of emails, smartphones, and social media.  The shimmering figure stoops gracefully to retrieve a mysterious note; the viewer is left to wonder about its contents and sender. With her polished bronze finish, it is almost as though this woman is comprised of the sunlight she basks in.

'The Message', 2013- Bronze, 46 x 27 x 32 inches

The figure is shown in a phase of tension between receiving and reading this message.  There is no subject line, no sender address... no telling who or where it is from until she reads it.  'The Message' romanticizes human communication through this glimmering bronze figure caught in a moment of suspense.

Watch: Exclusive Unveiling Footage

By Kelsey Zalimeni

The unveiling of Carole Feuerman's 'Double Diver' on the NetApp grounds in Sunnyvale, CA was a major success.  Carole and her team were thrilled to be part of this special occasion between community and corporation. This post offers exclusive footage of the NetApp ceremony, so that all who follow Carole's activity can witness the excitement of the big day.  Enjoy!

The Spirit of Sport

by Kelsey Zalimeni

With the World Cup kicking off this week, spirits and anticipation run high all over the globe. In light of all the excitement, what better work to consider than Carole Feuerman's 'Lauren Perdue,' a full-body resin cast of the young Olympic athlete.  Now, of course swimming and soccer aren't nearly the same activity. However, the key traits of a top competitor- passion, discipline, and drive- are common amongst champions of any sport. As a portrait, 'Lauren Perdue' honors the incredible career of an Olympic athlete.  Expanded to a larger metaphor, this piece reflects the ability of athletic events like the Olympics and World Cup to unite nations across the globe in the spirit of sport. 

'Lauren Perdue', 2013- oil on resin

Although the figure is shown at rest, this does not imply any sort of complacency or defeat.  Her countenance and symmetrical pose speak to balance and focus, as viewers catch the determined competitor in a moment of silent preparation.  The display choice puts the piece fully into context, surrounding Lauren by her natural habitat, her sanctuary, her racing lane.  All who encounter this sculpture are reminded of the purity of sport, invited to be lost in admiration of our human capabilities.

Watch this short feature on Carole's process with 'Lauren Perdue'-

Visit Lauren Perdue's Team USA page HERE.

General's Twin

by Kelsey Zalimeni

'General's Twin' protrudes from its hanging place with commanding presence and a sense of dignity exuding from the figure.  The piece only features the top portion of the swimmer, succeeding to convey a powerful stance despite the body's absent lower half.  This sculpture possesses a unique balance of grace and potency, achieved by a combination of delicate details and a carefully carved physique.

'General's Twin', 2009-2011

Oil on Resin, 24 x 15 x 8 inches, The Smithsonian Institute National Portrait Gallery

The soft, rosy lips of the swimmer work nicely with a similarly colored swimming top to emit rays of youthful, feminine beauty.  Her broad, athletic shoulders and toned abdomen communicate a formidable side to this woman.  With eyes closed and head held high, she basks in the glory of her own composition, yet another great testament to the accomplishments of her maker and the values she stands for. This piece is a particularly important work by Carole, as it is displayed at the Smithsonian Institute National Portrait Gallery.  Its acquisition by such a renown institution is not only a great accomplishment for Carole in her career, but an honor as a citizen of this country to contribute artwork to a national collection.

In The Mix

by Kelsey Zalimeni

The majority of swimmers that Carole Feuerman sculpts are female. This choice widely reads as the artist's effort to represent the female form in a way that glorifies the figure without objectifying it. By investing the female form with a dignified, heroic essence, Feuerman has removed the Classical notions of feminine depiction, with woman as 'object of desire.' Knowing this, what do we make of the select male figures within Carole's oeuvre?  Instead of viewing them as arbitrary or opposite to her ethos, Carole's male swimmers can be seen as a necessary presence, 'in the mix.'

'Matteo', 2008-2011- Oil on Resin, 19 x 20 x 10 inches, Collection of the artist

'In the mix' simply implies the egalitarian mindset of Carole as an artist; a conscious effort to include the male figure amongst her many female sculptures.  She takes the same care and effort to the rendering of her male subjects, achieving looks of meditation and gentleness without them appearing effeminate.  

'Diver', 2014 - Bronze, 77 x 25 x 11 inches, Collection of the artist

Carole shows that her cornerstone values of peace, balance and strength  are shared traits amongst both genders.  Rendering both male and female subjects keeps Carole's message relevant and coherent, free of the pigeonhole label of feminist art.

'Butterfly', 2008-2011, Oil on Resin, 21 x 22.5 x 21"- Oil on Resin, 21 x 22.5 x 21 inches, Private Collection

Carole's Picks: Becky Franco

by Kelsey Zalimeni

At first glance, Becky Franco's works might be mistaken for photographs of beautiful interiors and decorative architecture.  However, Franco's tantalizing scenes are in fact oil paintings rendered in photoreal quality.  Carole has recently discovered the intriguing works of this artist, thus naming Franco as the her Pick for this month of June. 

'Clarity', 2009- Oil on canvas

A Havana, Cuba native, Franco completed a BFA with Honors in the United States from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn. Her main influence throughout artistic training was the Photo Realist movement of the 1970’s. In her budding career after graduation, she became the first female billboard artist to join the Sign & Pictorial Display Union. She painted billboards for fifteen years, later shifting her focus, to strictly private painting commissions. To continue the expansion of her artistic prowess, Franco set out to obtain an MFA from Queens College, New York in 2008. She is currently represented by soho20gallery in Chelsea, New York.

Becky Franco amongst her iconic painting subjects

www.beckyfranco.com