Sam Perry: Folds

Rena Bransten is pleased to present Folds, a solo exhibition of recent wood sculptures by Oakland-based artist Sam Perry.

Inspired by the properties of fabric, the works on view explore how to express softness and suppleness through an inherently hard medium – a theme at the heart of Perry’s practice. These new works are a continued testament to Perry’s craftsmanship and intuition for his chosen medium, and his willingness to collaborate with his material while pushing at its boundaries.

The heavier pieces included which embrace the solidity of wood still incorporate bends and folds, adding a touch of softness to an otherwise dense object. Other works are light and airy, lyrical and gestural. The contrast between these two lends a satisfying sense of balance to the exhibition.

Sam Perry was born in Kailua, Hawai’i, where he spent weekends as a youth in his father’s canoe shop. Originally a ceramic artist, he received both his BFA (1986) and MFA (1990) from California College of Arts and Crafts. After graduating, he took a position as studio assistant to Viola Frey, which he maintained for nearly 20 years. His sculptures are included in the collections of the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art, Napa, CA, and the Runnymede Sculpture Farm, Woodside, CA. Follow the Curve, a short film about his work and practice, was released in the fall of 2022.