FREYA SACHS GERVASI

Denville, New Jersey

From the beginning of my teaching career in 1966 and while earning a masters degree in etching, I have always enjoyed working in a direct “hands-on” medium.  During my career as an art teacher I became involved with printmaking, ceramics, papier mache, wood carving and all other forms of sculpture. I gradually developed a style that used flowing forms to represent movement of natural organic shapes which I applied to my masters project in printmaking. I eventually became involved in stone sculpting---preferring this three-dimensional medium to the flatness of paper and ink---and transferred my complex organic linear designs from paper to stone.

As my talents and interest in sculpting developed under the tutelage of Leonard Agronsky and Leo Schulemowitz, I continued to embrace artistic concepts that emphasized natural shapes, gentle motion and non-objective subject matter.  I used these emerging ideas to encourage my advanced art students to experiment in clay, plaster and wood.  After retiring from teaching in 1998, I began sculpting full time in my studio with Larry Umbreit at Riker Hill Art Park in Livingston, New Jersey where I continue to develop a dynamic personal style that combines my love of organic forms with an ability to create movement in stone.

I have not been influenced by one particular artist or school, but rather appreciate all types of sculpture.  I am continually redefining the surfaces and planes of my own pieces to incorporate concepts, ideas and representations of classic and contemporary artists.  The subtractive process and procedures I use cut deeper lines, add new shapes, create spaces and eliminate extraneous matter that interferes with the visual movement I try to pull out of every stone.

I want people who see my work to interpret the shapes as they wish, to feel the subtle familiarity of their forms or simply to appreciate their grace and serenity.  That is why I encourage viewers to rotate the sculpture and observe how one contour blends into another.  Hopefully, the intricacies of the organic impressions will draw in the observer and enable them to feel the combination of cold stone with the warmth and energy of motion.

My retirement as a full-time art teacher has enabled me to devote substantially more time to create and enter my sculptures in juried art shows and exhibitions where they have received numerous awards and recognition.