Studio Montclair’s first juried sculpture exhibition, “Not Just Set In Stone”, celebrates the limitless potential of mediums, showcasing both representational and abstract sculptures. Artists were encouraged to explore the “myriad materials beyond stone” available to them as makers, and the resulting exhibition reflects remarkable diversity.
The artists collectively utilize all four core sculptural processes. Some have chosen to carve, model, or cast pieces from conventional materials including clay, plaster, cement, wood, and metal, while a number of artists construct their work using found objects of manmade or organic origin. Other artists employ unconventional materials in unexpectedly striking ways. The exhibition presents a balanced selection of freestanding sculptures and wall-mounted reliefs.
The phrase “set in stone” signifies something permanent or unchangeable, like words carved into a stone tablet. By reinterpreting this expression, Studio Montclair encourages both artists and viewers to look beyond stone as the definitive sculptural material, while suggesting that the boundaries of sculpture can be fluid and subject to reinterpretation.
Participating Artist
Ferruccio Babarcich, Gianluca Bianchino, Jessica Cavaliere, Jodie Fink, Terri Fraser, Peggy Gardner, Suzan Globus, Ben Goldman, Beth Heit, Marion Held, Linda Brooks Hirschman, Valerie Holliday, Miriam Jacobs, Lindsey Jones, Jon Koones, Sassoon Kosian, Robert Lach, Rick Ladd, Leigh Lambert, Annaliese Levaggi, Patrick McCoy, Charlie McIlvane, Deborah Morris, Matthias Neumann, Lisa Petsu, Jean-Paul Picard, Jennifer Place, Lisa Pressman, Robert Richardson, Edward Rushton, Ela Shah, Susan Stover, Jenni Vitek, Pamela Wood, Barry Zawacki
Juror’s Statement
Throughout history, artists have made three-dimensional art by carving, modeling, casting, and,
since the early 20th century, constructing. Studio Montclair’s first juried sculpture show, Not Just
Set in Stone, celebrates the limitless potential of the medium, showcasing both representational
and abstract sculptures. The prospectus encouraged artists to explore the “myriad materials
beyond stone” available to them as makers, and the resulting exhibition reflects the medium’s
remarkable diversity.
The selected artists collectively utilize all four core sculptural processes. Some have chosen to
carve, model, or cast pieces from conventional materials including clay, plaster, cement, wood,
and metal, while the majority construct their work using found objects of manmade or organic
origin. Examples of traditional approaches include: Peggy Gardner’s bust and Barry Zawacki’s
ceramic vessel, each made from fired clay; Jon Koone’s carved wood sculpture; and Lindsey
Jones’s modernist composition of cut and angled steel planes.
A number of artists employ unconventional materials in unexpectedly striking ways. Suzan
Globus constructs small sculptures from painted bits of found tree bark, while Leigh Lambert
crafts colorful “rocks” from compressed plastic waste. In some cases, the found objects retain
their original meaning, like the vintage brass scale in Jennifer Place’s Heavy Heart and the
camouflage fabric in Linda Brooks Hirschman’s No Way Home.
The exhibition presents a balanced selection of freestanding sculptures—positioned on pedestals,
platforms, or directly on the floor—and wall-mounted reliefs. Noteworthy innovations among
these works include Gianluca Bianchino’s wall installation, City of the Future, which integrates
3-D printed elements, as well as Matthias Neumann’s freestanding piece, Basics #65, engineered
from meticulously stacked 2×4 lumber.
The phrase, “set in stone” signifies something permanent or unchangeable, like words carved
into a stone tablet. By reinterpreting this expression, Studio Montclair encourages both artists
and viewers to look beyond stone as the definitive sculptural material, while suggesting that the
boundaries of sculpture can be fluid and subject to reinterpretation. This inclusive perspective
has allowed artists such as Jean-Paul Picard and Lisa Pressman to merge photography or painting
with sculpture, thereby creating hybrid works. It is my hope as juror, that visitors will bring this
same open-minded approach to the exhibition and be inspired to look beyond any of their
preconceived notions about sculpture. Ultimately, Not Just Set in Stone is an effective reminder
to stay receptive to innovative and diverse viewpoints.
Mary Birmingham, Juror