Artist Reception: Sophie Eisner, Holding Patterns

Holding Patterns is an exhibition of sculptures by Sophie Eisner on display at the Norfolk Library through July 2. The show explores themes of holding, care, and protection, and the stories that linger within objects. Works on display include hollow forms made of bent sheet metal which Eisner hammer-formed and heat treated, welded “coil” vessels made using a technique she developed to create a basket-like woven surface with molten steel, and upholstered velvet panels that become painting-like wall sculptures.

Please join us at a reception for the artist on Sunday, June 1, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., graciously hosted by the Library Associates. Thank you for your support!

Sophie Eisner grew up in New York City, and after spending many years in the Midwest, she has made her home in Kingston, NY. Eisner’s studio practice includes sculpture, installation, drawing, performance and musical collaboration working in steel, silicone, concrete, wood, fabric and bronze. With a background in ceramics and figure drawing, Eisner’s work is grounded in the act of making and close observation of the physical world.

Sophie’s work has been exhibited in galleries, museums, and sculpture parks in the United States and internationally including at Simone DeSousa, Wasserman Projects, Franconia Sculpture Park, the Wright Museum of African American History, and Galerie Marzee. She has been awarded residencies at Yaddo, Mass MoCA, the Vermont Studio Center, and Salem Art Works among others and was honored with the Louise Bourgeois Award in Sculpture from Yaddo. Eisner is also an educator dedicated to helping young artists build skills and develop their own creative voices. She has been Assistant Professor of Art at St. Olaf College, a faculty member at College for Creative Studies, and has worked with students at the University of Louisville, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Carleton College, and the National Gallery School of Visual Art in Zimbabwe.