Joan Perlman: Element/Frumkraftur

I traveled for many years to Iceland in my dreams. When I finally arrived there, I felt an affinity with its spare volcanic landscape; this resonance has sustained my creative work for over a decade… Joan Perlman’s large-scale abstract paintings reflect the artist’s enduring interest in the landscape and geologic phenomena of Iceland. This first monograph explores, through works on canvas and the video installation, From Ice, the shifting light, colors and energy patterns of the powerful waters of the southeast coast’s glacial rivers. In addition, it features a thoughtful and humorous introduction by the esteemed curator and critic, Lawrence Rinder, poetry by Brad Leithauser, an essay by cultural anthropologist Dr. Anne Brydon and photography by the Icelandic geologist Oddur Sigurdsson. Joan Perlman was born in New York and currently lives in Los Angeles. Her work has been the subject of exhibitions in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Reykjavik. In 2008, it will be featured in a solo show at David Cunningham Projects, San Francisco.