MarinMOCA – Silent Auction

Jeff Downing is a San Francisco ceramist noted for his emblematic and humorous sculptures. Born and raised in New York, Downing initially wanted to try his hand at music. However, his first introductory class of ceramics altered his career path. Moved by the experimental nature of ceramic art, Downing soon moved to California to study sculpture under the guidance of Stephen DeStaebler. The upcoming auction, a fundraiser to benefit the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, features a handcrafted sculpture titled Kindled Spirit by Downing. The black porcelain sculpture is composed of lightning cable and metallic wax. This piece reflects the influence of Robert Arneson and Alberto Giacometti on Downing’s art. 

The Marin MOCA – Silent Auction explores books that have been transformed into works of fine art and sculpture by artists such as Katie Gutierrez, Beth McCoy, and Betsy Kellas. One highlight is The Voyager, an intricately detailed model ship by Punkie Ebert. It was made from several books, using spines for the hull and pages for the sails. Also presented are collages from Judith Danner and the Marin MOCA’s award-winning artwork by Julia Arndt. Interested collectors can explore the full listings and register to bid online on Bidsquare.