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A
pioneer in
the field of contemporary wire sculpture since 1968, Elizabeth Berrien
integrates textile technique and engineering theory to create an
innovative, non-traditional medium of hand-twisted, single-strand wire
sculpture of resilient and cohesive forms.
Berrien's sculptures are personal translations of the inner essence
spirit of animals and humans; they have inspired a whole new generation
of wire sculptors. Her landmark works are in museums, galleries,
restaurants, parks, airports and private collections worldwide. In 2004
Elizabeth Berrien founded Wire Sculpture International, the worldwide
guild of wire sculptors.
Art educators and researchers from around the world study the works of
Elizabeth berrien alongside those of Alexander Calder.
"Contemporary metal sculpture continues... from monumental abstract
works by Henry Moore to delicate, intricate wire sculptures by
Elizabeth Berrien." - Paula Swensen, History of Metal Sculpture |
 |
COMMISSION
HIGHLIGHTS
T-Rex, Disney
World at Orlando This 8ft h x 13
ft long Dinosaur was commissioned as focal sculpture for a new and
exclusive VIP lounge within Animal Kingdom.
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The
James M.
Harris Collection Hobart
Tasmania: An ongoing collection of over seventy Berrien sculptures:
retrospective dating back to 1970. Most recently commissioned: Pigasus ,
7-ft flying Yorkshire sow, awarded People's Choice at Humboldt County
Fair
Sport Series
A series of athletic forms including runners, gymnasts, soccer players,
equestrians etc, instigated by international sport consultant Richard
Cecil
Firefighter
5 x 7 ft Bas relief mural for San Francisco Fire Credit Union.
Firefighters lent their authentic turnout
gear to the artist as reference
for authenticity.
Millennium
Grizzly 8ft high Bear sculpture
for journalist/novelist Alexander Cockburn.
Ranger, the
Billy Goat life-sized portrait
of goat for private collector
Two Koalas
Private commission, landscape installation on live eucalyptus trees. |
| Coyote
Pair
Commissioned by head of California native Plant Society for eventual
installation on bluff overlooking Pacific Ocean.
|
 |
Dueling Queen
Bees, Randall Museum, San Francisco
3ft. wire sculpture insects commissioned by the head of the San
Francisco Beekeepers' Association.
Chinese Dragon
mixed media multi-colored wires, Integral Healing Center
Tiger Woods
portrait of golf champion; private commission
Leaping Salmon
bas relief pair of 4ft Salmon, Eureka Natural Foods
|
Pegasus,
Louisville International Airport
13ft long, 17ft wingspan, central focus of airport; aluminum sculpture
commissioned specifically to combat travel
fatigue . Upon installation,
human traffic pattern at the airport altered radically and concentrated
around the sculpture. Pegasus
has become a beloved city landmark.
|
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Dog
and Cat
Masks Sequoia Humane Society, to
commemmorate its transformation to a no-kill shelter. Wire sculptures
were dedicated to the spirits of all animals euthanized at the facility
during its years under county contract.
During the dedication ceremony, animal commnicator Linda Wahlund gave
blessings to bring peace to the souls of animals that had died, and
closure to humans who grieved for the loss of beloved companions.
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Sea
Turtle
E. Kirkpatrick, mixed-media Topiary
Ink People
Center for the Arts Outdoor
bas-relief wire mural. Elements are bas-relief Pacific Northwest
wildlife, casting shadows that vary with time and seasons.
Paperclip
Pegasus, incorporating
paper-clip wire manufactured by client, Bekaert Wire Co.
Panthers and
Gazelles, Usui Design, Tokyo,
Japan: architectural commission for corporate boardroom design; as a
result of this commission, the artist was invited to prepare a
traveling exhibition of her works in Japan.
Puma,
site-specific sculpture fitted to the contours of a boulder at the
entrance to the owner's property
Bobcat,
Ripple and Trout Bobcat reaching
downward to pat water, Trout rising to ripple created by Bobcat (an
observed fishing method by some bobcats
Hand in Hand,
sculpture presented as award by national adoption organization
Autumn Leaves
and Flowers, sculptures
presented as awards to California Art Educators of the Year
American
Morgan Horse Association: Morgan Stallion
life-sized breed standard created as central focus for the AMHA Grand
National, cover of Morgan Horse Magazine.
Stretching
Panther, 7ft long, commissioned
to complement the contours of the living tree in which it was
installed; private commission
Larry Niven:
Fithp, 15-ft rendition of the
alien from Niven's bestseller "Footfall"
Mr. Lex
Nakashima, Tyrannosaurus Lex,
8ft aluminum dinosaur/landscape piece |
| Los
Angeles
Zoo Collection California
Condor, Bongo, Sable Antelope, Black Rhino, Cheetah in Pursuit of
Gazelle. Funded by grants from the ARCO Foundation, IBM and private
donors. Because of the California Condor's uncertain future, the artist
was admitted to the Condor Research Project's blinds several times for
direct observations and the greatest accuracy possible. Zookeepers
recognized the finished sculpture as a specific individual condor.
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Girl
Scout
Council of Orange County: Red-Tailed Hawk, Bobcat,
installed as
educational/interpretive elements of newly constructed nature center.
Mr. and Mrs.
W. Hendricks: Watch Dragon, 9ft
long, installed in cathedral ceiling entryway of a private home.
Mr. and Mrs.
Porter-Washington, CA: Keeshond
for the owner-breeders of the Keeshond Breed Standard
Trust for
Public Lands: Everglades Kite
for presentation to the person responsible for implementing the
endangered birds' protection
b>Jong & Jong Associates AIA, Berkeley CA: Snake
and Rat, interpretation of
Chinese Zodiac.
James Vincek,
DDS, Oakland CA: Night Steed, Black Eagle
|
| Leaping
Elk
Site Specific installation for a private lodge in the Colorado rockies,
1991 |
 |
Griffon Restaurant, Berkeley CA: Gryphon/Goblet
7-ft central sculpture
Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco: "200 Hummingbirds"
Liberty House, San Francisco Wings
of Wonder Pegasus theme for
department store Christmas windows and interior decor; published in
Visual Merchandising Magazine.
Berkeley Shakespeare Festival: Phoenix,
25-foot kinetic sculptural
installation for the production of Cymbeline
|
SOLO
EXHIBITIONS
Highlight Gallery, Mendocino, 2005
Bayside Post Office, 2005
Humboldt County Fair, 2004
Redwood Acres, Eureka CA (traveling exhibit) 2004
Salon Eclips, 2003-2004
Morris Graves Museum of Art (travelling exhibit), 2002
Fort Bragg, (traveling exhibit) 2001- 2002
Hayward City Hall (traveling exhibit), 2001
Highlight Gallery, Mendocino, 1997
Pan-Pacific International Exposition, 1997
Essential
Elements , Go for Baroque,
Princeton NJ, 1996
Spirits of
Africa Nature Company/Tom Wrubel
Gallery, Concord MA, 1995
Berrien
Sculpture Garden at Fieldbrook Winery ,
1994
Gump's, San Francisco, 1993 & 1994
Mojave Wires ,
Maturango Desert Museum, Ridgcrest CA, 1993
Highlight Gallery, Mendocino CA, Annual Exhibits 1986-1993
Kodiak! ,
Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, 1992
Hall of
Mirrors , sculptural
collaboration with blacksmith Don Butler, 1992
Retrospective ,
Coyote Point Museum, San Mateo, CA, 1991
Neiman Marcus, San Diego CA: two exhibits, 1991
The Hudson Bay Company, Vancouver, BC Canada, 1990
Wildlife
Wireworks , Coyote Point museum,
San Mateo CA, 1987
San Bernadino County Museum, Redlands CA, 1986
Courtyard
Sculptures of E. Berrien , Irvine
Fine Arts Center, CA, 1986
Los Angeles County Museum, 1985
Gump's, San Francisco/Houston/Dallas/Beverly Hills 1982 thru 1985
Karen Asher Gallery, Palm Springs, Annual Exhibits 1982-1988
John F. Kennedy Library, Richmond CA, 1980
Wonders in
Wire , Prism Crescents Gallery,
Berkeley CA, 1978
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GROUP
EXHIBITIONS
Canadian
Museum of Civilization/American
Museum of Natural History, traveling exhibit, "Mythic Beasts", 2009
Godwit Days International Bird Festival, 2009
Calgary Stampede Metal Arts Showcase (invitational), 2008
Museum of Contemporary Art, 2005
Humboldt Arts Council, 2004
Redwood Art Association, 2004
Humboldt County Fair, 2003, Best of Show
California State Fair Best of Show Competition, Award of Excellence,
2003
Redwood Acres Fair, First prize, 2003
Humboldt County Fair, Best of Show, 2002
Christopher Reeve Foundation Fundraiser and Black Tie Auction
California State Fair Best of Show Competition, Award of Excellence,
1997
Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens - landscaping
with sculptural elements , 1997
Redwood Acres Fair: 3 awards, Best of Show, 1997
Eureka Art Center, 1997
Redwood Art Association, 1997
Rhododendron Festival Parade float (top award), 1997
Deal Me In ,
artists' invitational card deck, Ink People Center for Arts, 1996
Humboldt Arts Council Invitational Art Auction, 1993 - 1997
California State Fair/Humboldt County Booth Design, Gold Medal, 1996
Redwood Acres Fair: First, Second, Third Best of Show, 1996
Humboldt County Fair, Popular Vote, 1996
Planned Parenthood Invitational Art Auction, 1996
North Coast Recycled Art Expo, 1996
Tom Wrubel Gallery, Concord MA, 1995-1996
26th Annual International Kinetic Sculpture Race vehicle, 1995
Grizzly ,
National Wildlife Federation, 1995
Humboldt Light Opera Company, 1995
Stanford University Committee for the Arts, 1994
Clarke Memorial Museum, 1993
Interlacings
invitational, Humboldt Handweavers Guild, 1993
International
Powwow , New Orleans, 1993
Wild Animal
Show , The Nature Company, 1992
Art in the
Wild Invitational, Marine
World/Africa USA, 1992
Humboldt County Fair, two awards, 1992
Designers
Showcase Invitational , La
Galleria, San Francisco, 1991
California State Fair Best of Show Competition, 1991, Award of
Excellence
South Lake Tahoe Public Arts Program, CA 1991
American
Craft Series , Concord, MA, 1991
Mercedes Benz Invitational Art Exhibit, 1991
Holiday Design Showcase, La Galleria, San Francisco, 1990
California
Small Works , California Art
Museum: Top Ten Award, 1990
Women's Art
Show , Humboldt Cultural Center,
Eureka CA, 1990: Award
Redwood Art Association, Eureka CA, 1990: Award
Humboldt County Fair, CA, 1990: Best of Show
Animals in
Myth and Nature , Coyote Point
Museum, San Mateo CA, 1990
Dinosaur
Mania and Dinamation , Santa
Barbara Museum of Natural History, 1989
Silicon Art Show, San Jose CA, 1989 Best
Alternative Medium
CactusCon National Art Show 1989: Best of Show
Lompoc Valley Art Association, 1988: 3 awards, Best of Show
Worldcon Art Show, New Orleans, 1988
Marine
Mammals in Art , Ford House
Museum, Mendocino CA. 1987
Mendocino Art Center, CA, 1986, Award
Loscon the 13th, Pasadena CA, 1986 : Best 3-D
Halleycon Fantasy Art Exhibit, San Diego CA, 1986 : Best of Show
Loscon 12 Art Show, Pasadena CA; Award
Mzuri Wildlife Foundation International Art Exhibit 1986
Westercon Art Show, 1985; Best of Show
Gump's San Francisco, Beverly Hills, Dallas; 1982-1985
Sausalito Art Festival, CA, 1977-1978
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SELECTED
PUBLICATIONS, VIDEOS, etc
Southern
Living, American Wire Journal, Morgan Horse Magazine (Cover),
Saddle and Bridle, ASFA Quarterly, Coyote Point Museum Journal
(Cover),Arts and Entertainment Magazine, Airport News, Better Homes and
Gardens, Country Living, Inspiration Magazine, Visual Merchandising
Magazine, Goodfellow Review of Wonderful Things, vol. II.
OTHER MEDIA: Various newscasts, video documentaries, etc. |
AWARDS,
HONORS AND ACTIVITIES
The
Big Won: International
#1 Innovative/Media, 2008
London International Awards: Double Grands and Double Gold: Design,
Non-Traditional Media, 2008
CLIO Award, 2008
OBIE: Best of Show, Best Media, 2008
Cannes Festival: Double Gold Lions, 2008
One Show: Gold, 3 Silvers & Bronze Pencils, Outdoor
& Environmental Design 2008
Art Directors Club: 2 Gold Cubes, 2008
Andy Awards, Double Gold, 2008
Victor Thomas Jacoby Award for Innovation in Art, 2005
Eureka Times-Standard: Ten
Most Intriguing People in 1996
Selected Artist: Crocker Art Museum's Christmas display window at Macy's
Redwood Country Classic, Showcase Artist, 1996
Blue Ox Millworks & Historical Park: Artist in Residence,
1994-1999
Humboldt Arts Council, Honor for Contribution to the Arts, 1994
California Arts Council Artist in Residency Program, 1993
Harvard University International Women's Health Symposium, Logo Design,
1992
Book Jacket: Medical &
Orthopedic Issues for Active & Athletic Women ,
1993
Interlacings
invitational exhibit, Humboldt Handweavers Guild, Guest Artist: 1993
Yuba City Prune Festival, CA: Guest of Honor, 1989
Los Angeles Zoo, CA: Artist in Residence, 1988
Mendocino Art Center/Daly's Mezzanine, CA: Artist in Residence 1986-1987
Marine World/Africa USA, CA: Artist in Residence, 1982-1985 |
WORKSHOPS
AND LECTURES CONDUCTED
Workshop:
Selling Art
on the
National Market , Ink People
Center for the Arts, 1997
Workshop: Starting Up as a
Professional Artist , College of
the Redwoods, 1996-97
Lecture: Wire Sculpture in Fluid Form: Textile Approach, Crocker Art
Museum, 1996
Workshops: Artists Survival
Series , 1996
Workshop: Topiary Design, Blue Ox Historic Park, 1995
Lecture, Philosophical Roots
of Creativity , Humboldt State
University, 1995
Lecture, Arts Marketing ,
College of the Redwoods, 1994
Lecture, The Development of
Creativity and Style , St
Bernard's Academy, CA, 1994
Lecture, Non-Traditional Wire
Sculpture , Stanford University
Committee for Art 1994
Artist Lecture Series, 25 Year
Retrospective , Ink People Center
for the Arts 1993
Lecture, Textile Techniques in
Metal Humboldt Handweavers
Guild, 1993
Workshop Series: Survival Tips
for the Mercenary Artist , 1993 -
1995
Slide Lecture: Twenty-Five
Year Retrospective , Maturango
Desert Museum, 1993
Lecture: Carving a Realist
Career in the Arts , Centralia
College, WA 1992
Lecture: Non-Trad Approaches
to Design Theory , College of
Redwoods, 1991
Lecture: Unleashing the
Internal Artist , St Bernard's
Academy, 1990
Worldcon, New Orleans: Survival
Tips for the Working Artist , 1987
NASFIC, Phoenix, Panelist: Thinking,
Exploring, and Creating in 3 Dimensions
1987
LosCon Turning Mental Blocks
into Building Blocks: Creative Problem Solving Techniques for Artists
and Writers , 1986
Westercon CA, Panelist: Creative
Time Management for the Working Artists ,
1985
Marine World/Africa USA: Artist in Residence, 1983-1985 |
EDUCATION: Self educated.
b. 1950
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ACCLAIMS
FOR ELIZABETH BERRIEN
"...the
finest wire sculptor alive today."
North American museum curators
"The finest
wire sculptor we have ever seen."
Michael Lafferty, Gump's
"One of the
world's foremost wire sculptors"
Michael Ball, author of Wire Magic
"This
outstanding exhibit generated more delight and enthusiasm than any
other we have held at our museum. Our only regret is that we booked it
for only two months; six would have been much better".
Amy Dawson, Director, Randall Museum, San Francisco
"An
absolutely outstanding wildlife sculptor. To see a Berrien sculpture is
to gain an instantaneous understanding of the very essence of a
creature's spirit."
Dr. Donald Linsdale, Curator, Oakland Museum
Berrien's
magnificent Pegasus sculpture has become a beloved landmark. It has
permanently affected the flow of foot traffic within this airport.
James F. Thompson, Chairman, Louisville International Airport
"...a pioneer
in the field of textile wire sculpture..."
Lolli Jacobsen, Textile Arts Director, Mendocino Art Center
"...thanks
for your outstanding lecture and demonstration at the Crocker Art
Museum. Those who approached me afterward said it was the best they had
ever attended..."
Norma Kelson, Program Director Kingsley Art Club, Crocker Art Museum
"...while I
generally do not make referrals for artists, I am holding [Berrien's]
material to show the other curators at our next meeting..."
Valerie Fletcher, Curator, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
"We would
consider booking (your) show... You have a unique and fascinating
approach to sculpture. I was most intrigued by it. It certainly shows
your ingenuity and artistic ability."
Nancy W.Beers, Administrative Director, National Geographic Society
Explorers Hall
"...you are
the recipient of a cash award for your entry in 'California Small
Works'. Thanks so much for contributing to the quality and diversity of
the show..."
Duane Jones, Director, California Museum of Art
"Since your
last show with us generated more excitement and sales than any previous
artworks shown in the same space, we invite you to exhibit with us
again..."
Shelley Stefanyszyn, Event Coordinator, Neiman-Marcus
"It it
certainly unique and wonderful. We have never seen anything like this
before."
Steven Makovenyi, Exhibit Director, Smithsonian Institute
"Your wire
sculptures are amazing; truly breathtaking! I have been a fan of
Calder.. that is how I was introduced to wire sculpture, but your work
goes way beyond even Calder! If I hit the lottery I would love to fill
my house and yard with your work...simply WOW!!"
Aileen Hammer, educator |
EDUCATION:
Self educated as a wire sculptor since 1968.
b. 1950
|
World
Class Wire Sculpture
· Elizabeth Berrien (707) 445-4931 · email wireladye@yahoo.com
Content and images
© 1968-2010 Elizabeth Berrien. All rights reserved.
·
Updated Mar 10, 2010 · this page valid HTML 4.01
|
THE BIG WON
#1 Worldwide
Alternative/Innovative |
CLIO 2008
|
Cannes
Festival
Double Gold |
ADC
Double Gold |
OBIE
Best of Show |
Andy Double
Gold |
One Show
Gold
Pencil |
London
International
Double Grand |
| Clients,
Inquiries,
& Collectors:
Amaranth Restaurant · American Museum of Natural History
· Ancestry Magazine · Bal Harbour Shops
· BBC · BBDO/NY · Bel Villaggio
· Berkeley Shakespeare Festival · Canadian Museum
of Civilization · Canine Companions for Independence
· Carroll Associates Architects · Crocker Art
Museum · Dailey's Ltd · Depa Ltd ·
Derse · Disney Imagineering · Dreamworks Exhibit
Group/Giltspur · Farmers Daughter Hotel · Fino
International · Fuel Restaurant · Girl Scout
Council · Godiva
Choolates · GRACE Fundation · Griffon Restaurant
· Gump's · Hadley Exhibits · Hilliard
Lamps · HSU Natural History Museum · Jong and
Jong
Architects · Julia Child ·
LaForce & Stevens · Levin Porter Associates
· Liberty House · Los Angeles Zoo ·
Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall · Louisville International
Airport · Los Angeles Zoo
· MAC Interior Design · MacDonald's Corporation
· Macy's · Mahlia Collection ·
Marketing Magic · Michael George Flowers ·
Michael Taylor · Mivan · Morgan Horse Magazine
·
Motorola ·
National Park Service · The Nature Company ·
Neiman-Marcus · O'Hara Design Group · OrthoVita
· P3R · Parc des Topiares · Ralph
Appelbaum Associates · The Randall Museum ·
Saatchi & Saatchi ·
Saks Fifth Avenue · Salah Interiors · Sequoia
Humane Society · Sunny Brae Animal Clinic · Trust
for
Public Lands · Very
Special Events · WA International · Westport
Hotel · WLC Architects ·
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