Vanessa German

a holy blue togetherness for planetary awareness of the single universal breath

Mixed-media power figure sculptures
Edition of 10 sculptures

vanessa german, in collaboration with Cincinnati artists and artisans, created a series of 10 power figure sculptures as Welcome Edition #6. The pieces incorporate bead weavings by Bhutanese refugee artists, ceramic works by artists from Visionaries and Voices, wood carvings by a Nigerian sculptor, hand-dyed prayer beads by a Zimbabwean artist, and glass, cement, and other elements by Cincinnati makers. german visited Wave Pool to meet the group of contributing artists before beginning the work.

Titled a holy blue togetherness for planetary awareness of the single universal breath, the work is in german's words, "for how the color blue is a gift; for the gifts of water, creativity, and togetherness as balm and center in times of disconnect and delusion: a way to be here together. A way of loving."

Vanessa German (b. 1976) is a self-taught sculptor, painter, writer, and performer based in Pittsburgh. She is known for mixed-media assemblage sculptures called "power figures," constructed from everyday materials including cowrie shells, beads, mirrors, and found objects. Her work addresses gun violence, racism, and homophobia. German founded ARThouse, a community art space in Pittsburgh's Homewood neighborhood. She won the Don Tyson Prize at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Heinz Award for the Arts. Represented by Kasmin Gallery.

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