As you enter the cave-like gallery at the Stonearium, the “International Signatures” exhibit now at Marenakos Stonearium in Seattle takes your breath away. It is a truly stunning exhibit by some dozen or so NWSSA sculptors. The setting is perfect for quiet spirtual rapport with the awesome stone presences gathered there by Sabah Al-Dhaher, Stuart Jacobsen, Tom Small, Rich Hestekind, Verena Schwippert, Alexandra Morosco, Uchida, and by others whose work is equally impressive but whose names I had not known previously and cannot recall now. The lighting and placement seemed perfect, and the gallery has mounted huge granite slabs on the wall behind pieces by Uchida and Rich Hestekind that enhance their air of mystery and depth. Underneath and behind it all is the hushed murmur of dripping water from one of Rich’s waterwork pieces also in the gallery.

 

I had never been to the Stonearium before and, living in southern Oregon, I hardly know Seattle, but this was for me one of the most impressive exhibits I’ve seen in a long time, anywhere, including the Seattle Art Museum’s outdoor sculpture park.