Large Female Torso
40" High x 22" wide x 18" deep
Medium: Cast cement

River God
13" High x 25" wide x 12" deep
Medium: Cast plaster

Anne Stanner
212-982-4135
annestanner@msn.com

Artist Statement:
My sculpture follows a series of themes and related techniques. In the early 1980s, I became intrigued with metal found objects (“objets trouvees”) and the process of recycling materials. A whole series of semi abstract figurative pieces resulted from this passion for assemblage from disparate, discarded junk. The actual creation of the pieces is very much related to play and chance: I juxtapose various pieces of metal with each other in a trial and error fashion and see what ideas emerge. Sometimes one object triggers or suggests an entire piece and then the hunt is on to find other objects that will complete the idea. The pieces are then finished by welding or brazing with an oxyacetylene torch or electric welding epuipment. Many of the images take the form of masks and are influenced by the sculpture of other traditions such as Native American, Tribal African, Asian, and early 20th century European. Often the pieces are whimsical. Many of the objects used derive from what was traditionally associated with women’s work, such as stove burners and sewing machines and scissors. I derive special glee from using these female oriented items and transforming them through a process, i.e., welding, that is often associated with men’s work. About five years ago I began to intensively sculpt the human figure from the live model. In this body of work, the sculpture is initially executed in clay and then cast into plaster or cement, or sometimes it is fired in the original clay. I find that the forms, grace, inner life, and expressiveness of the body is compelling, endlessly varied and consuming.