Beth Hartmann

ARTIST STATEMENT

Skin is fascinating to me, whether human or the surface of an object.  I emphasize its translucence, its reflectiveness, its function, and the metaphors of protection, vulnerability, disguise, beauty, secretiveness, mystery, and containment.

Although many of my materials are modern--at least when put to use in art (rusting mesh, cement, dyed gut, copper and wire)--I work to expose timeless emotions.

We create an industrial environment and then, with our fragile protective mechanisms, attempt to live in that environment.   Organisms react--often adversely--to what we have changed.

ARTIST BIO

Beth Hartmann has been a sculptor and arts organizer for 20 years.  She sculpts in fibrous materials but also metal, plastic, and metal constructions and installations.  For her, sculpture is the medium most closely connected to daily life. Some awards include fellow status at Jentel Artist Residency, as well as publication in ArtWeek and Surface Design, and awards during exhibitions from Manuel Neri, Phil Linhares, and Rachel Osajima.

Her work is in the collections of the City of Sebastopol, Hisako Eto of Osaka and Kobe, Tran Turner of Oakland, CA, Susan Scott of Ventura, CA, Julie Green of Novato, CA, and   others. For seven years she was lead artist in Sebastopol’s Sculpture Jam -a loose collective which creates and installs public sculpture.  The group often donates pieces for placement in Sonoma County locations.  Hartmann has curated, chaired, installed, and juried shows in California and Oregon.