Art Matters with Edward Goldman
By Edward Goldman
April 15, 2022
Another challenging exhibition I had the pleasure of seeing recently was the one at Craft in America Center on W. Third Street east of La Cienega. This first ever retrospective of LA artist, Ferne Jacobs (b. 1942), covers 50 years of her career focused on fiber sculptures. “Reinventing and advancing traditional techniques used for basketry, including knotting, coiling, and twining, Jacobs has generated an entirely new language of sculptural art.”
Looking closely at her small and medium-sized sculptures, it is difficult to avoid the temptation of touching them not just with your eyes, but with your fingers. Their texture, their color stays with you even after you’ve moved away. To my surprise, some of Jacobs’ abstract-shaped sculptures made me think about human bodies hugging each other. And all of them, either hanging on the walls or sitting on a pedestal, refuse to stand still. They have a hidden personality and energy of dancers ready to perform.
This must-see exhibition runs through June 18. And while you are there, check out the adjacent gift shop, Free Hand, presenting an amazing variety of artifacts.