Barbara Chase-Riboud

Why this artist matters now

Barbara Chase-Riboud is an accomplished American artist, poet, and novelist. Recognized internationally for her monumental sculptures, Chase-Riboud masterfully combines bronze and fiber into fluid, emotive forms, echoing themes of historical memory, cultural heritage, and the African Diaspora. Introduced to a foundry for the first time during her fellowship in Rome in 1957, the artist would begin developing a new variation on the ancient lost-wax technique of casting bronze by using sheets of pliable wax that she could bend, fold or bunch in order to cast the ribbons of metal that would later become a signature of her aesthetic. Educated at the Yale School of Art, her pioneering vision incorporates a fearless engagement with transcultural histories. Beyond her visual art, Chase-Riboud's literary works, such as the acclaimed novel "Sally Hemings," highlight her deep interrogation with issues of identity, history, and race, thus securing her legacy across multiple creative realms.

Source: Sothebys · Trust score: 100% · Updated 1mo ago