Licking a Wound
ON VIEW
December 6-8, 2024
ARTIST
Lily Pressman
SUMMARY
Known Studio is excited to present Lily Pressman in her first LA solo exhibition Licking a Wound, co-curated with Marley White. Pressman showcases 9 sculptures that explore themes of maternity, malleability and the passage of time through a metaphysical lens.
The inspiration for the exhibition stemmed from an experience Pressman had earlier this year while nannying a baby. The child, barely able to crawl, began bending over in a rudimentary handstand with their head peering between their legs. He would attempt this position often over the course of a few weeks before ceasing entirely. Pressman stumbled upon an old wives’ tale suggesting that babies adopt this pose when sensing a pregnancy nearby. Reflecting on the timing, she realized the child’s sudden change coincided with her own miscarriage.
Drawing from that time, Pressman crafts a minimalist scenescape using raw clay, found objects, and reclaimed materials. Her work invites viewers to look closely, encouraging deeper engagement with what might initially appear straightforward.
Licking a Wound is on view from December 6-8, 2024. Pressman will be hosting an artist walkthrough of the exhibition on Saturday, December 7 at 2pm, and we will be hosting a wax casting jewelry workshop on Sunday, December 8 at 1:30pm led by White.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Lily Pressman is an artist working in multimedia sculpture living and working in Los Angeles CA. Born in Jakarta, IN, (b.1998) Pressman grew up in Arlington Virginia and has a BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University (2020).
Lily’s work ties together the presence of the body and mythic symbolism to communicate themes of maternity and the passage of time. Pressman's in depth material language lets the viewer understand her narratives through the piece's physicality. Known for challenging scale and her work with the figure in clay, her latest body of work pulls away from traditional methods. Her transformation of accumulated styrofoam, lost foam cast aluminum and the inclusion of unfired clay considers the significance of a piece's lifespan. Sculpting phrases Pressman uses language as a throughline in her practice.
ABOUT THE CO-CURATOR
Marley White (b. 1998, Travelers Rest, SC) is an artist and designer based in Los Angeles and holds a BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University in material studies. She is currently an instructor in the Fine Art and Product Design department at Otis College of Art and Design, and has taught both in the product design and sculpture department.
