Belgrade Art Studio Residency

Daniela Soberman

Online Residency 2021

Biography

A first generation Californian, born and raised in Downey, California to an inventor father and artist mother (both emigrated from former Yugoslavia) Daniela grew up making regular visits to post-war socialist Yugoslavia. During much of her formative youth she was exposed to European Avantgarde, socialist art, expressionism, and modernist themes which fundamentally influence and regularly show up in her work. In 1998, She graduated with a BA in Film and Video Arts from California State University Long Beach, with a minor in Ceramic Arts.

In 1999 Daniela began translating her arts education into researching and publishing a series of books on early 20th Century popular culture. These publications garnered international appeal, a noteworthy cult following, and extensive book tours, including invited lectures and book signings. Her titles are still carried in notable museums (including the Smithsonian).

In January 2013, after having a child caused her to reflect on her original visual arts passions, she decided to focus her time on her new family and to ignite her sculptural practice. She has since moved to Los Angeles (from Long Beach), spent 7 years honing her ceramics sculpture practice, and in 2020 reestablished her studio in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA.

Education

BA California State University, Long Beach

MBA University of Southern California

Art Students League of New York

Museum Exhibitions

Long Beach Museum of Art, AAXIX, Long Beach, CA

Other Notable Exhibitions

OFF CENTER INTERNATIONAL CERAMIC COMPETITION, Roseville, CA

BARNSDALL ART CENTER SHOWCASE, Los Angeles, CA

Organizational Memberships

National Sculpture Society

Los Angeles Artists Association

Arroyo Seco Arts Collective

Pasadena Society of Artists

Artist statement

The day I touched clay, I decided to become a sculptor. Clay’s immediate response to touch and its ability to capture a pure moment of thought or emotion — moves me. I sculpt because I must. My work is of a different nature in that I am actively rejecting a focus on perfection and intricateness and instead am attempting to use clay as a way to capture a spontaneous expression of space, form and emotion that is strong, imperfect, and full of tension.

Links

Website: www.danielasoberman.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/danielasobermanstudio