TANYA
RAGIR
This month GDCA is proud to debut “Warrior III”, one of
the centerpieces of renowned sculptor Tanya Ragir’s
recent ‘Warrior Series’.
! dent figures exude raw emotional power, unbridled sen-
suality, and are expressive to the point where they seem
to cross over into our realm… they seem to live, to
breathe.
! “My life and my work are about overcoming limitations.
Some are cultural, some political, some sexual - many
are self-imposed”, says the artist, “I embrace the gravi-
tas, the depth and breadth of the beauty of women,
which is limitless.”
While Ragir’s earlier bodies of work explored the interi-
ors of form, her current collection, The Warrior Series,
centers around states of being – “facing internal/external
barriers, struggle and loss”. Simultaneously with the
original ceramic showing at GDCA Downtown, the cast
bronze of “Warrior III” will be on view this month at The
California Art Club at The Autry National Center.
The artist’s powerful and evocative nude torso sculp-
tures literally stopped traffic when she first decided to
exhibit her ‘Seductive Armor Series’ downtown in Jan-
uary of 2014. Inspired by lingerie ads littering the
doorsteps of her neighborhood, Ragir realized that
these intimate 'decorations' of our bodies were actually
creating a protective barrier, akin to an armor... and in
essence replacing the very thing they were claiming to
promote - intimacy. Visually referring back to roman ar-
mament with its exaggerated & perfect anatomy, that,
which is vital and alive and real is hidden... the ‘Seduc-
tive Armor’ series was born!
Next up at GDCA was her 2014 Saggar Fire ‘Diptych’
series. While these wall-mounted torsos might seem
diminutive compared to her life size torsos – their pres-
ence is formidable and their effect not to be under-esti-
mated…they are breathtaking. Each individually crafted
torso is achingly sensuous and perfect. Their curves
elicit both desire and reverence, as well as a profound
respect for the beauty and purity of the human form … I
like to think of them as Ragir’s answer to Michelangelo's
'David'.
!
Once you have encountered, or should I say ‘experi-
enced’ any one of Tanya Ragir’s sculptures, you will un-
doubtedly recognize the artist’s hand. Not so much be-
cause of similarity in style, but rather in feeling… Emo-
tion is the primal driving force behind Ragir’s work… and
it encompasses all of it: passion, grace, devotion, long-
ing, abandon, joy, ecstasy, vulnerability and devasta-
tion… Ragir’s muses embody them all. Her transcen-
!
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All of Ragir’s pieces are sculpted in clay, then fired or
cast in bronze, aluminum, stainless steel and polyester
resin. Sizes range from inches to monumental. The work
is produced in either limited editions of nine, or as
unique pieces. To see “Warrior III” in person and to learn
more about the artist and her work, please visit us at
GDCA on Spring Street at the corner of 6th Street!
GLORIA DELSON
CONTEMPORARY ARTS
215 W 6th Street #115
Entrance on Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013
323 309 2875
www.gdcagallery.com
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