by Kelsey Zalimeni
An exploration of Carole Feuerman's oeuvre reveals topical threads throughout. While some pieces focus upon embodying one ideal at a time, others like Carole's 'Quan' series reflect multiple tenets simultaneously. The featured sculpture here, 'Monumental Quan,' speaks through its scale, composition, and execution, to the primary values of its creator- grace, focus, and balance.
Measuring 5 feet in height and roughly the same in width, 'Monumental Quan' manages to convey a delicate grace despite its voluminous presence. The positioning of the figure assists with this aspect, displaying a swimmer poised permanently in a difficult physical maneuver.
'Monumental Quan', 2012- Oil & resin, stainless steel sculpture
Power and control are implied well through the figure alone, but speak even louder in pairing with the chrome-finish orb upon which she balances. The mirrored surface threatens distraction, as viewers catch glimpses of their likeness in the midst of their experience with the piece. However, the reflective ball serves a more clever purpose, for 'Monumental Quan' is in fact above the entire space she occupies- stationed perfectly on top of a mini-world comprised by her surrounding environment. She is, in a sense, among and above the audience at the same time.