Artist Statement

“Motion, flight and grace have always been my passion. To make bronze turn into an almost liquid form has been my greatest challenge. The lively play of light on the tactile surface brings a changing force to my work. Even though my pieces are liquid in their flow, the texture used in their designs slows down the already rapid movement. I believe having the flowing form of a dance as counterpoint to the angular forms of architecture is very exciting.”

About the Artist

Sculptor and Jewelry Designer Caryl Picker philosophically approaches her creations with symbolism and personal style. Born and raised in New York City, Picker began her artistic studies at Finch College and continued at such renowned institutions as the Art Students League, Parsons School of Design and The Sculpture Center. She has studied privately with such notables as Will Barnet, Leon Kroll and Harold Castor. Ms. Picker’s works are cast in limited editions and are highly coveted by both corporate and private collectors. About her sculpture, she says, “Expressionistic forms flow to the music of motion and texture and open spaces reflect vulnerability and the effort of living.”

“Caryl Picker’s work is truly an inspiration.” says Heidi Neuhoff, President of The Heidi Neuhoff Gallery which has shown Caryl’s work in New York City. “Her sculpture expresses figures in motion and demonstrates the dynamic relationship between felt emotion and physical form. I am proud to have presented her bronzes to my personal clientele and avid collectors.”

Commissions, Collections and Exhibitions

In March of 1991, Michel Roux, President of Absolut Vodka, commissioned one of Ms. Picker’s bronze Sculptures as an award for presentation to Mr. Gerald Arpino and three choreographers honored at Absolut’s New York Joffrey Ballet Gala.

Mr. Arpino, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet was so impressed with his piece of sculpture that he commissioned and presented “Dancing Free” a vermeil figure mounted on an anthracite coal stand which can be removed and worn as a brooch, to eighteen past Gala Chairs at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on December 18, 1991 at The Joffrey Ballet’s “Decade of Leadership” Gala Awards Ceremony. Recipients included; Patricia Kennedy, Patti Skouras and Gala Chairperson Nancy Reagan.

In February of 1992, Ms. Picker’s sculptures were exhibited in all five of Tiffany & Co.’s Fifth Avenue Store windows for two weeks.

Temple Shaaray Tefila selected Caryl Picker’s spirited piece “Make Them Joyful in My House of Prayer” (from Isaiah 56.) in celebration of the congregation’s 150th year. This 7 foot tall bronze adorns the entrance of the Synagogue located on Second Avenue and 79th Street in Manhattan where it can be seen from the street welcoming all to “come inside.”

Picker’s most recent commission is the arresting Holocaust monument “Lest We Forget” which stands permanently in front of the Jewish Community Center in Scranton, PA. Of this emotion-evoking piece, Picker says “”Lest We Forget” is a monument to the six million people who perished during the Holocaust. The emaciated body of a man is a symbolism of all Jews that were killed at the hands of Hitler and the Nazis. The Rabbi with his arms out -stretched is the spirit of hope for the future and that Jews will never be persecuted or annihilated again.”

The Joffrey Ballet, Absolut Vodka, Pedmar Corporation, Chestnut Hill College, as well as Imperial Oil Corporation, which privately owns Ms. Picker impressive six foot tall bronze dancer “Free Spirit”, are among the corporate collections housing Picker sculptures.

“Emotional, philosophical, expressive, tactile – all fittingly define Caryl Picker’s artistic works.” states Brian J. Benedetti, Director of the MacDonald Art Gallery at Misericordia University in Dallas, Pennsylvania which houses “Texture and Open Spaces” a Picker collection of bronze sculptures, mixed material collages and jewelry. Ms. Picker is the first contemporary sculptor to be represented in the permanent collection of Marywood University of Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Other notable Picker Exhibitions include the Cork Gallery at Lincoln Center, Studio Center Art Association at Lever House, The Aaron Faber Gallery, The Nelson Rockefeller Collection in Palm Springs, California. Selected solo exhibitions include The Lexington Gallery of New York City and Retzignac in Palm Beach, Florida.