Sharks and Snakes and Leopards, Oh My! Lorien Stern’s Vibrant Ceramics Twist Danger into Play



Art
Craft

#animals
#ceramics
#Lorien Stern
#sculpture

July 12, 2024

Grace Ebert

All images © Lorien Stern, shared with permission

Ravenous sharks, two-headed snakes, and alligators that appear overly eager for a snack are notably less frightening in the hands of Lorien Stern. Armed with a bright color palette and exuberant style, the Mojave Desert-based artist creates a bold ceramic menagerie of some of the most menacing creatures on Earth.

Even with teeth bared and claws at the ready, the playfully rendered animals appear incapable of harm. While Stern addresses death and some of the most powerful, uncontrollable forces in nature, her sculptures offer joy and goodwill as an antidote to fear.

The artist is collaborating with Dave’s Clubhouse this August on an exhibition of functional goods at Souvenir of the Sunday, a gallery and studio space in Los Angeles run by artist Katie Kimmel. Until then, find more from Stern on Instagram.

 

a collection of ceramic shark heads on a wall in a rainbow gradient

a two headed orange speckled snake

a ceramic black and yellow spotted cat

two large ceramic flowers spring up in the gallery alongside a large rainbow on the wall

a grinning black and white alligator sculpture stands in a gallery in front of three large flowers

a white woman in a peach colored dress stands in front of a wall with small artworks and text reading You are good and i like being around you

The artist

#animals
#ceramics
#Lorien Stern
#sculpture

 

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. You’ll connect with a community of like-minded readers who are passionate about contemporary art, read articles and newsletters ad-free, sustain our interview series, get discounts and early access to our limited-edition print releases, and much more. Join now!