The first blog post I did as Woman Seeking Art was the Viola Frey career retrospective show at the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art in Sonoma, CA. Ever since, I always share images of any of Frey’s work I see, and believe I’ve made some of you fans along the way. Her work is immediately recognizable, and I haven’t met a piece of hers I haven’t liked.
Viola Frey is part of my imaginary friend group which includes, among others, Betty Woodman and Beatrice Wood. When I see their work I feel like I’ve run into a dear friend. Call me crazy.
Viola Frey: Faces, Masks and Figurines at the Nancy Hoffman Gallery was fantastic. I had a nice long conversation with a lovely man working at the gallery whose name I am forgetting. Frey fans cannot talk enough about her, and I was glad to meet someone so knowledgeable about the work.
Ceramic
18” x 74” x 66 in
I was excited beyond belief to see the World Civilization Bench. I took photos from every angle, walked around it probably 50 times. I truly found it hard to leave.
Pastel on paper
44” x 60 in
Ceramic
66” x 28” x 17 in
The ceramic plates below are from 1979-1998. Ask me for specific names and dates on anything!
Pastel on paper
91” x 63 in
Oil on canvas
54” x 48 in
Pastel on paper
43 3/4” x 29 3/4 in
Pastel on paper
44” x 60 in
Are you ready to join the Viola Frey fan club yet?
I am so ready! Thank you for letting me vicariously ride along on your travels. This is the most I’ve ever seen of her work. I’ve just seen a single piece here and there. Must have been a lot of fun to be in that room for a while.
Your membership card will be arriving soon!
Ah, those 3 are in my pantheon too!
I’m so sorry I missed this—thanks so much for sharing
I was very fortunate to study with Viola in the 80’s at The California College of Arts and Crafts. I was floundering in another major and heard Viola critique a student’s work and thought, “this woman can teach me to be an artist, the medium doesn’t matter” and spent my last two years under her tutelage (with Art Nelson and Charles Fisk as well.) I am glad to see appreciation of her work continues. She was/is not for the faint of heart.
Wow! Thank you for sharing. I’m envious of your experience.