Nolan Baumgartner

Ruby Neri is known for coil-built and mixed media vessels and sculpture. Each coil built piece typically grows out of a vessel form. Many of Neri?s vessels retain classic vessel elements, for example, single or double pouring handles.

The vessel form may be attenuated with its bulging surfaces emphasized with line art depicting the stylized female with exaggerated features. The surface technique is quickly executed in fine black line drawing and a very colorful surface decoration inspired by graffiti. Early work was painted post-firing with oil paints. Large-scale abstract and human form sculptures utilize a heavy application of color and lack the fine black line detail. Some sculptures stand on the floor while others, as high as 3 to 4-feet, sit on pedestals. Neri also produced monumental architectural sculptures.

Neri created a large body of work using a spray painted or airbrushed glazed surface technique. The use of spray-painted surfaces may come from Neri?s experiencing graffiti on buildings in San Francisco in the early 2000s. Often Neri?s work is mixed media employing wood or plaster legs with clay torsos.

Neri began her creative career as a painter.