Artist Reception: September 7th | 5pm-7pm

Rena Bransten Gallery is pleased to present a collection of new wood sculptures by Oakland, CA based artist Sam Perry. The title work and central piece of the show is a large wall-like structure made up of interlaced wooden branch forms. Like much of his work, the piece is biomorphic and lyrical, taunting our visual sensibilities in its maze-like complexity. It feels as if it’s expanding, growing into the space around it; we have the uncanny sense that the individual pieces might re-arrange themselves while we’re not looking.

Perry has the innate ability to transform wood into something that seems malleable – a natural progression from his early days as a ceramicist. A reverence for the material of wood and a dedication to the craft of sculpture are ever-present in his work, and this grouping is no exception. Having lived with his source material (fallen trees from the Runnymede Sculpture Farm where he has works for over two decades) for often years before making the first cut, the trees become co-collaborators and this relationship between sculptor and material is intrinsic to the work.  

Sam Perry was born in Kailua, Hawai’i where he worked as a child in his father’s canoe shop.  Originally working in ceramics, he received both his BFA (1986) and MFA (1990) from California College of Arts and Crafts.  After graduating, he took a position as studio assistant to Viola Frey, which he maintained for over 20 years.  His sculptures are included in the collections of the di Rosa Preserve and the Runnymede Sculpture Farm.