ELISABETT
GUDMANN
Metal Wall Pieces Architectural Projects
Statement I love being in the studio. It’s where I’m the most comfortable, alone with my thoughts, listening to music, NPR, talk radio, singing out loud; translating my ideas into visual expression.
Much of my inspiration comes from the medium itself. I’m drawn to the inherent beauty and unique
qualities of the metal and work directly with it. Most of my work is conceptual in nature, and created within a formal panel structure. Multiple panel installations and varying panel depths are often used, giving the work additional presence and dimensionality. My process has been developed over the past two decades and continues to expand with the addition of contrasting materials.
The imagery I create evolves through layered complexity; a very time consuming and often chaotic
and messy process of working with the chemicals and acids to create textures and patterns on the metal, often employing a reductive technique. I strive to evoke emotional charges through the interplay of color, texture, marks and form. The patinas have the translucent and earthy feeling of a remnant that has been worn down over time, yet are meticulously beautiful. Influences of abstract expressionism infuse my work, striking a balance between the abstract and the recognizable, often evoking references to natural and man-made environments. Multiple panel installations and varying panel depths are often used, giving the work additional sculptural dimensionality. Most recently I’ve been incorporating the ancient Japanese technique of Shou Sugi Ban, the charring of wood to preserve it, into my work. I’m intrigued by the juxtaposition of the metal surfaces and the roughly textured charred wood, contrasting the refined with the raw textures and colors.
In addition to the wall pieces, I’ve also been creating sculptures in collaboration with my partner, Kirk H. Slaughter, in either cast bronze or fabricated metals. The fabricated abstractions of the Architectural Series relate directly to the wall pieces and address the interchange between positive and negative space, combining elements of strength and elegance. Through a delicate balance of form and content, the clean lines and smooth surfaces reflect a masculine strength while at the same time maintaining a feminine sensibility. In direct contrast to the refined works, the cast bronze sculptures in the Relic Series are mostly figurative or equine themed and are distinguished by their broken and aged surfaces, rough textures and exaggerated features.
Unless otherwise noted, all works are hand fabricated copper panels with detailed acid etched surface textures and unique chemical patina colors.
BORN
San Francisco, CA First generation American, born to parents from Australia and Norway Maintains dual citizenship: US and Australia
EDUCATION
California State University, Sacramento Bachelor of Science
SELECT COLLECTIONS ABRIDGED
Taylor Art Museum, Colorado Springs, CO City of La Quinta, La Quinta, CA The Shep Brozman Collection, New York, NY The Curley Collection, Marin County, CA The Collection of Leslie Fleishhacker, San Francisco, CA The Collection of Dr. Vijay Mallya, Member of Parliament, New Delhi, India Lady Christina and Sir Philip Green, London and Monte Carlo
J.W. Gallagher, Inc., San Francisco, CA
Consolidated Resources, Inc., Phoenix, AZ Trans Media, San Francisco, CA Kilkenny & Associates, San Francisco, CA Lerner & Veit, San Francisco, CA The Collection of Dr. Arthur White, San Francisco, CA Marquardt Manufacturing, Van Nuys, CA Hemisphere Management, Hamilton, Bermuda Norman and Suzanne Cohn, Philadelphia, PA The Collection of Joe Barry Carroll, Atlanta, GA
PROJECTS
2017:
Peter Marino Architect Two current projects in progress: Completion summer 2017 Site specific multiple panel wall installations, New York City, NY
2016:
Private Residence, Palm Springs, CA Site specific multiple panel wall installation 32ft wide x 7 ft tall
2016:
Peter Marino Architect Site specific multiple panel wall installation, Seoul, South Korea 32ft wide x 9 ft tall
2015:
Peter Marino Architect Site specific multiple panel wall installation, New York City, NY 28ft wide x 10ft tall
2015:
Peter Marino Architect Site specific multiple panel wall installation, Paris, France 55ft wide x 12ft tall
2009:
Couple, 8 ft bronze sculpture
City Hall, La Quinta, California 2008:
Sierra, 10 ft bronze sculpture
Powell Development, Seattle, Washington
EXHIBITIONS
Complete list available on request
ARCTIC SERIES: FULL CIRCLE 72”h h x 50.5”w x 3”d Acid etched zinc, chemical patinas, charred wood
ARCTIC SERIES: NIGHT/DAY Acid etched zinc, chemical patinas, charred wood 32”h x 48”w x 3”d
SUBTERRANEAN Acid etched copper, chemical patinas, charred wood 42”h x 52”w x 3”d
ARCTIC SERIES STUDIES: 1 & 2 Acid etched copper, chemical patinas, charred wood 34.5”h x 20.5”w x 3”d each
INSTALLATION VIEW: URBAN RELIC SERIES BLUE & RED Dataflow (Grant Irish, bronze with patina) Molnir (Gudmann/Slaughter, bronze with patina)
URBAN RELIC: RED 5 Acid etched copper panel, chemical patinas 52”h x 44”w x 2”d
INNERVISIONS Series: 1, 2, 3 Acid etched copper panel, chemical patinas 20”h x 20”w x 2”d each
ARCHITECTURAL SERIES: RED 3 Acid etched copper panels, chemical patinas 12”h x 18”w x 2-4”d (three separate panels, multiple depths)
WATERFALL Acid etched copper, chemical patinas 72”h x 28”w x 2”d
TIME STORIES COLUMN Acid etched copper, chemical patinas, charred wood 72”h x 20”w x 3”d
ARCHITECTURAL
PROJECTS
Peter Marino Architect Installed: Paris, France
2015
Details: - 21 large panels - 18 small size panels - Total size: 55ft wide x 10ft tall Inspiration piece: WATERFALL
Elis with Waterfall Silver and Waterfall Black panels prior to shipment.
Peter Marino Architect Installed: Seoul, South Korea
2016
Details: - 12 large panels Inspiration pieces: TAPESTRY, BW SERIES, ZEBRA
Completed panels prior to shipment
Private Residence Palm Springs, CA
2016
Details: Metal wall panels clad on both sides of floating fireplace. - 14 large size panels - 4 small size panels Inspiration Piece: WATERFALL
Installation of metal panels in progress.
Completed installation: Palm Springs, 2016