Anna Sew Hoy, “Home Office” (installation view), 2013.
Photo: Michael Underwood. Courtesy of Various Small Fires, Los Angeles

Your Gaze, 2013, powder-coated steel.
Left: 62 1/2 x 30 x 28 1/2 in
Center: 52 1/2 x 28 x 25 in
Right: 68 1/4 x 33 1/2 x 28 1/4 in
Photo: Michael Underwood
Courtesy of Various Small Fires, Los Angeles

In Auckland native/Los Angeles transplant, Anna Sew Hoy’s “Home Office,” a strikingly personal glimpse into the environment of an artist is articulated. Spanning throughout Various Small Fires, Los Angeles and hovering at different levels, are her signature-sculptured orbs (amongst others stunners including, “Your Gaze, 2013,” also “black noir/beige tan, 2013”). Juxtaposed with these are artisanal deconstructions of varying fabrics and clothing. Evoked within are the senses of security and ease that is represented through the personal balance of materials and its particularity of placement. The artist notes, “Familiar objects loom large as you pace the room…this is your universe, and you are a shuttle, blasted into space, processing from above.”

Insomnia, 2013, stoneware, neoprene, flocking, t-shirt, and wood.
Orb: 12 3/4 x 11 1/2 x 12 1/4 in
Pedestal: 28 3/8 x 16 1/4 x 33 1/2 in
Photo: Michael Underwood
Courtesy of Various Small Fires, Los Angeles

Insomnia (detail view), 2013, stoneware, neoprene, flocking, t-shirt, and wood.
Orb: 12 3/4 x 11 1/2 x 12 1/4 in
Pedestal: 28 3/8 x 16 1/4 x 33 1/2 in
Photo: Michael Underwood
Courtesy of Various Small Fires, Los Angeles

At first glance, each of the irregularly faceted shapes embodies a rich hued, aerial point of view of Earth. Land, sea, desertscapes and oceanic blue depths seem to all be present- indeed, an eye level trajectory of “processing from above.” In “Insomnia, 2013” a textured orb entangled in Sew Hoy’s familiar use of denim, anchors a t-shirt with its didactic representation of an outer space vision. The weight of this sphere-like shape on the symbolic presence of the Milky Ways’ far-reaching abyss, grounds the vision of this visionary. A sense of security and warmth is conveyed through the dual presence. At once the intimidatingly grandiose is quelled with the command of materials. This existence is echoed within, “Cogitate, 2013.” Lovingly wrapped with a linear composed denim shield, the inner sanctum of this dusky orb is methodically exposed. Filled within are vulnerable amoebas of anatomy, a textured glaze pulsating with life.

Cogitate, 2013, glazed stoneware, denim, vinyl wallpaper on wood.
Orb: 13 3/4 x 14 1/2 x 14 in
Pedestal: 22 x 24 x 26 in
Photo: Michael Underwood
Courtesy of Various Small Fires, Los Angeles

Cogitate (detail view), 2013, glazed stoneware, denim, vinyl wallpaper on wood.
Orb: 13 3/4 x 14 1/2 x 14 in
Pedestal: 22 x 24 x 26 in
Photo: Michael Underwood. Courtesy of Various Small Fires, Los Angeles

“Home Office,” is a place where the lofty surrenders to the purity of creation. Each vignette of interaction feels like a look into the intimate world of ones’ realm.  VSF and Anna Sew Hoy host an experience filled with the integrity of vision. Here is a captured, stationary glimpse into the realm that is in constant flux- the artists’ studio.

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-Contributed by Bianca Guillen