AITKIN/DEERWOOD — “I think my first sculpting material was mashed potatoes after dinner,” Deerwood sculptor Rebne Karchefsky laughed, “but it's just been always part of me, I think.”
Deerwood sculptor Rebne Karchefsky told Area Voices on the KAXE Morning Show that she’s been interested in art for as long as she can remember. While she painted, drew and sculpted throughout childhood, it wasn’t until undergraduate school that she found art as a potential career.
“Once I took a studio arts class ... that was my place,” she said.
Some of Karchefsky's sculpture work is featured at the Ripple River Gallery in Aitkin in an exhibit called “Material World.” It includes work inspired by things happening in the world politically and environmentally. It’s her way of responding to those things the best way she can.
Karchefsky came back to Minnesota three years ago and would later meet Amy Sharpe, who owns the Ripple River Gallery. Sharpe invited Karchefsky to participate in some group shows at the gallery. Then Sharpe asked her if she was interested in doing her own show, and Karchefsky said yes.
The exhibit “Material World” features sculptures made from aluminum screens normally used in screen doors. She discovered years ago that the material was very malleable. She's used the screens to created portrait sculptures, with some of them featuring crowns made of objects like keys.
“I think that it's interesting to think of the material in its definition and symbolic form,”
Karchefsky said.
Screens can be thought of as veils, which can be fitting for a portrait. Also, while the material may be fragile in terms of ripping, it just bounces as if nothing had happened when dropped. It exists on these different levels and that can add extra meaning to the pieces.
However, Karchefsky is open to the idea of people forming their own ideas from her work.
“You're not always there to talk about what you, as an artist, you do that goes into a piece. Once it goes into the world, it has to have a relationship with the viewer. And that relationship is ultimately what's important,” Karchefsky said. “If it speaks to people, then I find that it's a successful piece.”
The exhibit “Material World” will be up at Ripple River Gallery until Sept. 20.
Ripple River Gallery is also hosting a fall open house on Saturday, Sept. 19 as a part of a benefit for the Wild and Free wildlife rehabilitation program. It will feature arts activities, live music from Amanda Standalone, a walk through the woods and a bird release at 1 p.m.
Listen to the full conversation with Karchefsky by clicking above.
Tell us about upcoming arts events where you live in Northern Minnesota by emailing psa@kaxe.org.
Area Voices is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.
