Steff Rocknak

I currently live in upstate New York.Although I was born and raised in the United States, there is no question that my sculpture has been significantly influenced by my trips to Europe. In fact, having been trained as a painter, I may not have started sculpting had it not been for the semester I spent in Rome in 1987or at the very least, it may have taken me longer to realize that I prefer three dimensions over two. While there, I was especially impressed by traditional marble sculpture, particularly, the work done by three classical giants: Michelangelo, Dontatello and Bernini; never once entertaining the (currently popular) idea that because their work is so popular, particularly with the masses, that it must be superficial, trivial. So, quite content with the vulgar appeal of representational sculpture, I returned to the U.S. and began working in wood, which was the only medium available to me. But in the back of my mind, I was certain that I would eventually work in some kind of stone. However, over the next few years, I grew quite attached to the warmth and unpredictability of the woodI was hooked.This shouldnt surprise me since I have been around woodworkers for as long as I can rememberwhile growing up, my mother meticulous...

Education1998 Ph.D. Boston University; Philosophy1988BA, Colby College; Painting, Art History, American Studies, Magna cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Distinction in both majors 1987 Tyler School of Art in Rome, January-May Semester1986 Rhode Island School of Design Summer SchoolSelected Solo and Two Person Exhibitions2005Southern Vermont Arts Center, Manchester, VT (solo)Smithy-Pioneer Gallery, Cooperstown, NY (two person show with Philip Scalia)2004Upper Catskill Community Council of the Arts (UCCCA); Wilbur Mansion. Oneonta, NY (two person show with Sabine Bodemann)Barrett Art Center, Poughkeepsie, NY (solo)2001The First National Bank of Damariscotta, Camden, ME (solo)Selected Invitational Exhibitions2006 National Association of Women Artists, 117 Annual Exhibition, GoggleWorks, Reading, PA60th Annual Sculpture Exhibition, Pen and Brush, 16th east 10th St, NY, NYSculpture 2006, Yorkarts, York, PA2005 International Assemblage Exhibition, Gallery Twenty-Four, Berlin, GermanyMade in New York, Cooperstown Art Association, Cooperstown, NYWomen in Woodworking, Northeastern Woodworkers Association Show, Saratoga Springs, NY2004Boston International Fine Arts Show (represented by the Home and Away Gallery)Home and Away Ga...

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