ABOUT
Star Liana York tells the story of her own discoveries through her art. A professional sculptor of over fifty years, much of her acclaim comes from the body of work she created after moving to the Southwest in 1985.
Star’s inspirations include Western narrative, wildlife, native peoples, raising and training quarter horses, and ancient rock art. Credible character and personality is apparent in her subjects - each rendered with empathic artistry.
Her work is recognized internationally, and held in museum and private collections worldwide.
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While her career as a professional sculptor began over twenty years ago, much of the recognition she has achieved comes from a body of work created after moving to the Southwest in 1985. It reflects her introduction to the native peoples of the area such as Navajo, Apache, Hopi, and Pueblo, as well as the wildlife and unique rock art. In the narrative tradition of American Art of the West, her work succeeds in capturing authentic aspects of the past and interpreting historic figures with convincing realism. Star York's interest in people, animals and the environment is global, although the source of inspiration for a significant part of her work continues to come from Native American cultures. Another portion of her inspiration comes from raising and training quarter horses which is manifested in her series of sculptures depicting horses. Their portrayal in her hands is spirited, articulate, and lyrical; evidence of the empathy she feels toward her subjects.
Each sculpture is a part of a narrative. Beneath the storytelling surface are figures animated by individuality and personality, derived in part from Star's remarkable talent for expressing the thought of her subject. This sensitivity in representation combined with her attention to detail contribute to an underlying message of oneness with the natural world which is in much of her work. From the balance and quiet strength reflected in a subtle gesture or expression to the metaphor extended in time and space, Star is able to give even her stationary figures a palpable sense of place. By engaging this full range of sensibilities, the viewer in turn receives a more satisfying aesthetic experience.
While she has found the Western idiom to be versatile, powerful and true for many of her feelings and ideas, Star York's willingness to experiment with tradition and her need to continue territorial investigations sometimes compels her to step outside the genre that has brought her success. By choosing to follow unfamiliar paths in a personal search for meaning, she secures the integrity of her artistic career.
“The Sculptured figures are so inviting and York so unassuming that before long, you have entered into a pact with her and have become involved in her vision” ~ New Mexico Magazine, May 1993
Born: April, 1952
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art 1975. University of Maryland, Baltimore Institute of Art, Corcoran, Washington, DC
1976-1978 Taught Metal Design and Fabrication at Prince Georges Community College in Upper Marlboro, MD
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Exhibitions
Western Community College in Silver City, NM Lecture and Workshop 2016
Annual Cowgirl Up! Desert Caballeros Museum Art from the other half of the West
Invitational Exhibition, Wickenburg, AZ, 2006, 2007, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
An honorary Artist: selected by The Millicent Rogers Museum Taos NM 2013
Turquiose Gala Millicent Rogers Museum Taos NM 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015,2016
Power of the Horse Exhibition Phippen Museum Prescott AZ 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Haley Historical Museum and Library Show and Sale 2015, 2016
Mountain Oyster Club Museum of the Horse Show and Sale Tucson, AZ 2015
AWA Prevailing Winds Exhibition Booth Western Heritage and Art Museum Cartersville, GA 2014
Horsescapes Show Factory 5 Gallery, Albuquerque, NM 2010
Horse and Pony Show, Brandon Michael Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM 2010
National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, Heart of the West” Fort Lewis, TX 2008, 2009
Trappings of the American West Show, Santa Fe, NM 2004
Sky Arbor Wild Live Exhibit, 2003
Koshare Museum, La Junta, CO 2002
Cowboy Artist of America Museum, Romancing the West, 2002 Phoenix, AZ
American Women Artist, from 1999-2012
Trail of Painted Ponies Show and Exhibition, Founder of and painted several horses for this
Non-profit organization, Santa Fe, NM 1999 - 2001
Horse Power, Traveling Exhibition, Meyer Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ, 2000
Horse Power, Traveling Exhibition, Zaplin-Lampert Gallery, Santa Fe, NM, 1999
One Woman Show, Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, OK, 1998
Two Person Show, Meyer Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ, 1998
Zaplin-Lampert Sculpture Garden: Monuments, Santa Fe, NM, 1997
National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson, WY, 1996
Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, VT, 1996
The Classic Art Show, Albuquerque, NM, 1996 - 1992
Tucson Museum of Art, Tucson, AZ "Woman & The West", 1994 - 1991
Nita Haley Library & Museum, Western Art Show, 1993, 1992, 1989
Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque, NM 1991-1993 & 1996
Invitational “Wild West” Show, Dewey Gallery, Santa Fe, NM, 1989
Canton Museum, Canton, OH 1985
Pioneer Museum, Colorado Springs, CO, 1986
Cowgirl Hall of Fame, Hereford, TX, 1985 description
Selected Collections
“Range Duty” Desert Caballeros Western Heritage Museum in Wickenburg AZ
Sculpting Maria Martinez (master pueblo potter) for the annual Millicent Rogers Museum Turquoise Ball, Taos, NM
“Range Duty”, Life Size (Rancher with Branding Fire) Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX
“Distant Thunder”, Monument (Apache Indian woman with child) UNM Cancer Center, Albuquerque, NM
“Blessing Way” Monument, ( Navajo Medicine Woman) Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO
“Dreamcatcher” Monument, ( Apache Indian woman with child) Oklahoma University, Oklahoma City, OK
“Magic of the Hunt”, Monument (of a charging bison for the First National Bank), Fremont, IN
“This Fragile Life”, Monument (of an Amazonian Indian girl), Miami Zoo in Miami, FL
“Earth Medicine” (Anasazi Diorama) Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC
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2014 Honorary Artist “Prevailing Winds” at Booth Western Heritage and Art Museum
2013 An Honorary Artist, The Millicent Rogers Museum Taos, NM
2012 2012 Honored Artist for Art Smart, Santa Fe, NM
2009 Artist Choice Award, National Cowgirls Museum and Hall of Fame, Fort Worth, TX
2001 30 Stars of 30 Years Southwest Art, best in 3 decades of Southwest Art
1994 Best of Show, The Classic Art Show, Albuquerque, NM
1990 Western Artist of the Year, Collectors Society, Minneapolis, MN
1989 Judges Merit, Minneapolis Western & Wildlife Art Exhibition, MN
1987 Council of American Artists Society Award, Catherine Lorillard Art Club, New York, NY
1987 Best of Show, Traditional Western Art Show, Gallup, NM
1986 Buckaroo Heritage Award, Indian Heritage Award, Western Art Roundup, NV
1982 First Place, Miniature Painters, Gravers, Sculptors Society of Washington, DC
1981 Second Place, Miniature Painters, Gravers, Sculptors Society of Washington, DC
1980 First Place, National Sculpture Society, New York, NY
1979 First Place, Miniature Painters, Gravers, Sculptors Society of Washington, DC
Selected Articles & Publications
My World a visit with Star Liana York, Southwest Art, by Bonnie Gangelhoff, February 2014
Star Liana York, Southwest Art, by Anne Hopper Vickstrom August 2013
Star Liana York, Cowboys & Indians, by Allyn Hulteng, June 2012
Telling Moments, Southwest Art, by Gussie Fauntleroy, July 2009
Bronze Storyteller, Western Art Collector, May 2008
The Enduring Western Spirit, Focus/Santa Fe, by Francisco Arechiga August/September 2007
Passion about Art and Life, Wildlife Art, by Tony Varro July/August 2007
The Studio, Art of the West, by Barbara Coyner March /April 2007
Star Liana York and Jeffery Lee Brock . . . “Merging Art and Life, June2007
Horse Power in Life and Art, Cover Artist for the Equine Image, Feb/Mar. 2000
Star Liana York: Bridging the Gap, Art of the West, March/April 1999
Cover the West: Cover Artist of the SW Art Magazine 1997
Leading the West: 100 Contemporary Painters and Sculptors by Don Hagerty, September, 1997
Visions of the West through the Work of Six Sculptors, Inform Art, Summer, 1997
Sculptor Inspired by Nature..., Arizona Republic, July, 1997
New Land Gives New Spirit to Star York, New Mexican, May, 1996
Unfamiliar Paths, Southwest Art Magazine, February, 1995
Sculpture in New Mexico, Art & Antiques, July/August, 1991
No Clichés Here, Art of the West, May/June, 1989
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When Bronze Meets Bold: Star York and Maura Allen Shake Up Santa Fe
Bronze & Blossoms: A Magical Outdoor Sculpture Garden Blooms at Sorrel Sky Gallery
Parent. Provider. Protector. Star Liana York's Distant Thunder.
Boundless Talent, Boundless Energy
Art Gallery: Star Liana York Cowboys & Indians Magazine - August 2020
My World - A Visit with Star Liana York at her Studio in Abiquiu, NM Southwest Art - February 2014
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CARE FOR YOUR INDOOR AND OUTDOOR BRONZE SCULPTURE
Note that there is no foolproof protection from the elements. Patina will change overtime. Although indoor bronzes maintain their luster longer, both indoor and outdoor bronze sculptures need regularly scheduled maintenance both in the spring and fall. The steps are the following:
1. Observation: While enjoying your bronze sculpture look for any signs of fading, dirt, staining or any other things that don't look right. It's best to take care of any problems before they get bad.
2. Cleaning: It's good to blow any abrasive loose dirt off the sculpture first. A can of duster spray could be handy for that. Try not to rub any dirt that's abrasive into the patina. Wipe the sculpture down with a clean rag and rubbing alcohol. It's handy to attach a spray nozzle on the rubbing alcohol bottle so one can liberally spray the alcohol on the piece. Wipe the alcohol and dirt away. (Some say to use mild soap and water to clean the bronze sculptures. This can be done; however, I prefer rubbing alcohol since it dries quickly. For cleaning any nooks and crannies that can't be reached with a clean towel or rag, spray the alcohol vigorously into those hard-to-reach areas. A skinny, clean paint brush and a can of duster spray are also good tools to use for hard-to-reach areas. Let the sculpture dry.
3. Sealing: Spray on a coat of "Clear Guard" Protective Lacquer. That nice new finish will start to come back. "Clear Guard" Protective Lacquer sealer at Sculpt Nouveau may be ordered at 1-800-728-5787.
4. No Wax should ever be used on any outdoor sculpture that has been lacquered.
That's it!
If you have questions, concerns or any problems, please contact Rusty Mesa in Santa Fe, NM: 505-216-1649.Description text goes here