by Artist (90)
Robin Grebe
American, born 1957
"Sybil" is a streamlined, vertical composition with its mottled indigo blue glass forming a graceful female body. A transparent "window" is cast in its chest revealing a cavity within. The flying birds, the root-like structure that extends from the figure's hair, and the bark appended to its back suggest a form emerging from nature. The window into its chest offers a view of a bird’s nest, symbol of a protective home of new life. The strong vertical blue shape is also reminescent of a bottle or vessel and thus a "container" as women are temporary "containers" for the children they conceive and carry. Grebe often creates pieces such as this one that are inspired by ancient fertility figures. She suggests that women are empowered by their ability to produce and nurture children.
Grebe possesses a wide range of knowledge of glassmaking and mixed-media techniques. The kiln-casting process gives the shape its defining form by using seperate castings for the exterior blue glass and interior clear glass of the figure. The artist also created mixed-media elements from bark, which she applied during the formation process, and she complemented the smoothness of the glass by using a rough stone base. In this sculpture the artist evokes the ancient image of the fertility figure, presented in a modern idiom.
American, born 1957
Sybil
2006
Object Type:
Glass
Dimensions:
35 1/4 in. x 10 in. x 8 1/4 in. (89.54 cm x 25.4 cm x 20.96 cm)
Medium and Support:
Kiln-cast glass with fired enamel and bark on stone base
Accession Number:
2007.0004
Credit Line:
Gift in loving memory of Richard C. Jaffe by Sue, Jamie, and Scott Jaffe and Jeanette, Joy, Buddy, and Jo Anne Rousso
Currently On View
"Sybil" is a streamlined, vertical composition with its mottled indigo blue glass forming a graceful female body. A transparent "window" is cast in its chest revealing a cavity within. The flying birds, the root-like structure that extends from the figure's hair, and the bark appended to its back suggest a form emerging from nature. The window into its chest offers a view of a bird’s nest, symbol of a protective home of new life. The strong vertical blue shape is also reminescent of a bottle or vessel and thus a "container" as women are temporary "containers" for the children they conceive and carry. Grebe often creates pieces such as this one that are inspired by ancient fertility figures. She suggests that women are empowered by their ability to produce and nurture children.
Grebe possesses a wide range of knowledge of glassmaking and mixed-media techniques. The kiln-casting process gives the shape its defining form by using seperate castings for the exterior blue glass and interior clear glass of the figure. The artist also created mixed-media elements from bark, which she applied during the formation process, and she complemented the smoothness of the glass by using a rough stone base. In this sculpture the artist evokes the ancient image of the fertility figure, presented in a modern idiom.
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