Sheryl Zacharia

My art is a reflection of my interaction with the visual world, and the deep emotional connection I have to it. The sculptures are inspired by my love and deference for nature and my intuitive connection to past cultures. My current work straddles a conversation between geometry and fluidity, and is a blend of geometric shapes with organic elements. I hope to evoke a sense of rhythm, movement and balance. While form is the initial motivation, I strive to create rich and painterly surfaces that marry and enhance the forms. Each piece is a map of exploration, consideration and choices. Much of my inspiration comes from modernist art but also speaks of my passion for music reflecting a deep connection between visual art and sound. Pattern and form are rhythm, palette is harmony, lines and shapes are lyrical. Negative space is also a strong component throughout my work. Absence is a powerful as presence. The sculptures are hand built using slab coil and pinch methods of construction. They are layered with texture, color blocking and details to add to the story.

Sheryl Zacharia was born and raised in the New York area and lived in Manhattan most of her adult life. Except for a brief period at Southampton College where she majored in painting, she is primarily a self taught artist. In her young adult years she pursued a career as a singer-songwriter. She performed in the NYC club circuit for 15 years and is a published songwriter. Missing her visual arts roots, she began working in clay which started her on a new artistic path. She has taught in various Potteries and has exhibited both locally and nationally. Her pieces have been published in magazines and books, and are in various Museum and private collections. Her work is in the permanent collections of The Kirkland Museum in Denver, The Racine Art Museum in Wisconsin and most recently she won an award for a piece in the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts Ceramic Biennial. The Museum has added that work to their permanent collection. Her work is represented by various Galleries around the country. She completed an eight month extended residency at The Museum of Arts and Design in NYC. Though she admittedly considers herself a diehard New Yorker, she moved to Santa Fe New Mexico 11 years ago to live out her dream of being a full time artist with a home studio. She now also resides in NYC and divides her time between Santa Fe and New York.

3-D, Ceramics, Painting (all materials), Sculpture