One of the best sites in Westport is, well, was on Beachside Avenue. The Heymans installed a whimsical and wonderful Claes Oldenburg/ Coosje van Bruggen sculpture, Typewriter Eraser, Scale X, on their property, within easy eyeshot of passers-by.
Seeing art, especially large art, in the elements is an unexpected treat. Over-sized sculpture is at once fun, thoughtful, and intriguing… as long as it’s not a bear carved with a chainsaw.
Weston’s Cheryl Sokolow, Principal of C-Fine Art and founder of the popular UNCOMMON GROUND series in Bridgehampton, is one of the few area sculpture Art Advisors. Although she sells sculpture of all sizes, it’s her large-scale environmental works we find most intriguing.
WLM: What are people looking for in outdoor sculpture?
Cheryl Sokolow: People are looking for organic bronze large-scale, but the material depends on the location and their unique environment. Kevin Barrett is my most popular sculptor and quintessential in terms of what I look for in an artist.
When choosing a work, consider what’s the best scale, where you want to see it in the yard, and what materials you like.
WLM: How much does outdoor sculpture cost?
CS: Prices vary and are determined by size, material and complexity.
WLM: I noticed you represent an Isobel Folb Sokolow. Any relation?
CS: She’s my late mother. When I was young she was more of a “traditional” mom and as we got older she took her work more seriously. She grew personally with her work; feminism became a theme and also something she lived. She was a pioneer - few women were welding or creating large scale works at that time.
WLM: Interesting that you have a classical background, yet your sculptures appear contemporary.
CS: They are classical in that they can be appreciated by principles of form such as balance, harmony, and manipulation of material. Many of today’s artists are working more conceptually and attempt to amuse or illicit a specific narrative, while I champion the actual physicality of the work and its execution.
WLM: How do you decide which artists to represent?
CS: I work with artists who have mastered their medium. I'm also on the lookout for contemporary female sculptors, but unfortunately I don't see many creating large scale outdoor work within this genre. Also, the artist must have work in one or more museum collections and be internationally exhibited.
WLM: Your big, fabulous event is UNCOMMON GROUNDs. What is it?
CS: I partner with Peconic Land Trust to exhibit large scale sculpture in The Bridge Gardens in Bridgehampton NY. It’s an interesting way for the community to engage with the work. The UNCOMMON GROUND Sculpture Series began in 2010 and is now part of the Hampton's cultural programming.
It takes a few days to install [in June], and this season it will be up through the year with some exciting programming such as music and guest speakers. Covid regulations permitting, we plan to have artist talks and I’ll speak as the Curator.
A portion of the artwork sales is donated to PLT.
WLM: Have you seen the Claes Oldenburg statue of the typewriter eraser?
CS: No! I haven’t! Where is it?
WLM: On Beachside Avenue!
Editor’s Note: Unfortunately, Cheryl will have to go Florida to see Typewriter Eraser, Scale X. In 2019 the Heymans sent it to a museum in West Palm Beach. A belated thank you to them for generously placing it near the road so all could enjoy!
C-FineArt.com