Star Liana York

Star Liana York is one of the most prominent sculptors of the American Southwest. York tells the story of her own discoveries through her art. While her career as a professional artist began over twenty five years ago, much of the recognition she has achieved comes from a body of work created after moving to the American Southwest in 1985. It reflects her introduction to the Native peoples of the area – Navajo, Apache, Hopi and Pueblo. – as well as the wildlife and unique rock art.

Only two years after arriving in the Southwest, Star was gaining recognition at art competitions enough for South West Art Magazine to do an article on her work. Since then her sculpture has been on the cover of Southwest Art, Art Talk, New Mexico Magazine and others. She was chosen as one of the 30 most influential artists in Southwest Art’s 30 years issue. Several museums have her sculpture in their collections, and in 1999 she was given a one-woman show at the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In the narrative tradition of American Art of the West, York’s work succeeds in capturing authentic aspects of the past and interpreting historic figures with convincing realism.

Star resides with her husband, Jeff Brock in their horse ranch near Abiquiu, North of Santa Fe, on the Chama River. Their shared passions are raising Quarter horses and creating art. Star feels that working with the horses and sculpting make for the right balance in her life, tho both disciplines require a creative approach, sensitivity and patience to be successful. Star strives to remain open to many unique aspects the region has to offer. “The Southwest is blessed with such rich cultural, aesthetic, and spiritual complexities that inspiration is always at hand. The colorful heritage of the Pueblo and reservation peoples as well as the ranching communities, present timeless themes and subjects". For York, finding a way to combine her time with horses with her art is the key to living the passionate life she transfers to her extraordinary sculptures.