Karver’s The Quality of Human Nature sits at 54 x 84 inches, spread over two panels, and is the centerpiece of the show. With the other pieces each taking part in the puzzle with their eloquent placing and common thread narrative, interconnected by a mutual theme, it stands out mainly because of its size.

Focused on a very busy area of Grand Central, possibly during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, as the people can be seen bundled up in coats, hats, and scarves, it accentuates the notion of invisibility and obscurity. In the background, stands a staircase giving the viewer the perception of a view that is slightly above the crowd, and the likelihood that the photographer was standing on the staircase opposite the one in view when creating the piece. The people are in mid-motion, oblivious to the photographer. Some are blurred due to their fast-paced steps. Some carry luggage. Others appear to be waiting for the arrival of family members or friends. While stories are printed on select figures, the viewer is pushed to speculate about the stories of those left untold.

The piece includes a story of a young Polish woman, who is the only figure that seems to notice the photographer in the midst of the city rush, as she appears to be smiling for the camera— though she does not stop for the picture. Her story is exultant and humorous, inclusive of her hopes for the future, as well as a few of her very original talents amongst which is making pierogi and attempting acrobatics, as hinted by Karver: “Gymnastic instructor, originally from Poland, multi-talented, can make 250 pierogi in under an hour, sing the national anthem while standing on her head, & rope a calf with the best of them…” This rhyming description is one of many, making the entire piece flow like a Robert Frost poem with multifarious and philosophical themes.

In addition to her photography and painting endeavors, Karver teaches ceramics, another medium she has worked with for years, at Laney College in Oakland, California.  She has taught at many colleges, including the University of California at Berkeley, and seems to be as passionate about teaching as she is about her artwork.

“Ceramics is really wonderful to teach. I’ve had many wonderful students who have gone on to become professional ceramicists,” Karver said.

Karver shared that she plans to continue to develop and expand the exhibited project. In addition to her photography and oil paint work, Karver has produced what she calls her Surveillance Series, in which she inserts a lightbox into suitcases to display what is inside. All items include objects that are illegal to bring on an airplane—some are weapons, such as guns and bombs, and some seem harmless, such as liquid-filled bottles.

“I plan to have many more shows with Kim in the future,” Karver stated.

Karver’s Flash Fiction speaks to isolation in our fast-paced society and busy cities. The pieces make people in a crowd seem friendly and interesting in a world where we were always taught not to speak to strangers. In making each figure’s story unique, she breaks down the barriers of the unsaid, and carves out a soft-spot for our unknown fellow man.

To see more of Karver’s work, visit http://www.sherrykarver.com/.  “Flash Fiction” will be on view at the Kim Foster Gallery until November 26th.

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