Star Liana York (American, b. 1952). "Branding Fire" bronze, 1986. Edition 30 of 30. Signed, dated and numbered below the saddle iron. A bronze sculpture by Star Liana York, "Branding Fire" depicts a stockman attempting to start a fire in the face of inclement weather - notice the raindrop that is about to fall from the brim of his hat as well as how the man uses his coat to protect the fire. Interestingly, York has presented a quiet moment in the life of a cowboy rather than a dramatic, action-packed one. He is simply performing a routine task while navigating adverse conditions. All is delineated with York's impressive artistry and technique. She used rich, dark patinas for most of the piece, but rendered the man's coat in contrasting golden hues as well as a glimmer of fire in vermilion hues. Even more impressive is York's attention to the little details: that raindrop falling from the cowboys' hat, how he places his hands in his pockets to draw his coat around the fire, and his serious facial expression. Note also how the details contribute to the authenticity of her interpretations of Western life. For example, the small size of the branding iron resting on a pile of rocks indicates that it is a saddle iron, which is much lighter and more portable than branding irons used back at the corral. Then there is the glimpse of terrain she offers - a stack of kindling over the subtle red glow of the fire flanked by a pile of branches in reserve and the saddle iron resting on a pile of rocks, poised future use - as well as the cowboy's clothing, the folds and creases of his neckerchief, the buttons and pockets of his shirt, his belt buckle, spurs, boots, we can go on and on. A magnificent sculpture that demonstrates Star's connection to the West as well as her sensitivity to human nature, mounted on a custom marble and wood stand that rotates so that one can appreciate the sculpture from any angle. Size: 14.75" H (37.5 cm); 17.375" H (44.1 cm) on stand.

We are delighted to present this piece, as Star York's sculptures rarely come up for auction. What makes Star's bronze's so magical is that she truly capture's her subject's individuality, inner life, and expression. In his article, "Star Liana York No Cliches Here", Michael Stinson beautifully honed in on this: "Rolled into all this was a growing feeling that power, strength, emotional connection, and a sense of movement under the surface … were elements as important as line, composition, form, and color, and deserved a place in her art….She does not use models, believing that the personality of the model may impose itself on the work. Rather, she wants the personality to emerge from the work. Evoking that unique sense of character that is true to each individual is what she feels grants her bronze figures life, and character is an inner quality that has little to do with simply looking the part." (Art of the West, May/June 1989)

Artist's Statement: "The 'West' has always held a strong allure for me, even as a child. My imagination was spurred by watching western films that were popular when I was growing up. My father, having been born in the same small town as Frederic Remington, introduced me, early on, to Remington bronzes. The richness of the colorful landscape, history and peoples struck me as exotic and dramatic. These elements inspired a lifelong passion that has not diminished in the decades since I moved to the region and made it my home. From attending Navajo ceremonies that went on until dawn, to trailing after cattle for days to help a neighbor rancher, competing and working at rodeos, much of my artistic expression comes from the discoveries I have experienced here, and has greatly influenced my art. It remains for me a place of mystery, magic and wonder." (Source: Star York Studio)

Artist Biography: "Star Liana York tells the story of her own discoveries through her art. 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." (Star York website)

Provenance: private Boulder, Colorado, USA collection

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#177423

Signed, dated & numbered 30/30 below the saddle iron. Mounted on a custom marble and wood stand that rotates so that one can appreciate the sculpture from any angle. Overall excellent.