Abigail Gumbiner worked as a metal and multi-media sculptor in the 60's and 70's while being involved in the early EarthWorks and Conceptual Movements in the California Bay Area. She developed her photography skills during this time to capture the temporary images of those fleeting works, leading her to experimental photography in her hand-built darkrooms.
A rare woman welder during her formative years, she studied at the California College of Art, The Boston Museum School (now Tufts) and received a BA in Art from UC Berkeley, continuing her post graduate studies at the UC Extension in the Bay Area. Along with her constant sculpture and photography, she drew for many years while raising her daughter, the filmmaker Tamar Halpern.
In 2012, Abigail combined the magnetic forces of sculpture and photography into a new body of work. The series used her photography of thousands of 1950's automobiles, which she printed in her studio and then hand-sculpted into ethereal and dynamic shapes.
Drawing inspiration from John Chamberlain, Frank Stella, Franz Kline and other abstract artists who have pushed boundaries, the reflections and metallic boldness of these automobiles sparked her sculpture creation. Her work is owned by several private collectors and museums.
"The third dimension changes the relationships within the photograph as the sculpture takes on a life of its own."
A rare woman welder during her formative years, she studied at the California College of Art, The Boston Museum School (now Tufts) and received a BA in Art from UC Berkeley, continuing her post graduate studies at the UC Extension in the Bay Area. Along with her constant sculpture and photography, she drew for many years while raising her daughter, the filmmaker Tamar Halpern.
In 2012, Abigail combined the magnetic forces of sculpture and photography into a new body of work. The series used her photography of thousands of 1950's automobiles, which she printed in her studio and then hand-sculpted into ethereal and dynamic shapes.
Drawing inspiration from John Chamberlain, Frank Stella, Franz Kline and other abstract artists who have pushed boundaries, the reflections and metallic boldness of these automobiles sparked her sculpture creation. Her work is owned by several private collectors and museums.
"The third dimension changes the relationships within the photograph as the sculpture takes on a life of its own."
CODA:CHROME Radical Sculpture for People and Walls
Costumes designed by Francine LeCoultre using Abigail's artworks.
Photography Vern Evans.
Costumes designed by Francine LeCoultre using Abigail's artworks.
Photography Vern Evans.
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Solo Shows
Roadside Attractions, LA Art Core 2019
Coda:Chrome Radical Sculpture for People and Walls. September Brewery Arts Complex, Los Angeles 2016
PierceModern Gallery, Paso Robles, CA, 2013
Neon Museum of Art, Las Vegas: Nevada’s Neon Edens 2005
Museum of Neon Art, Los Angeles: Nevada’s Neon Edens 2004
Nevada Historical Society, Reno photo show 2003
Tohono Chul Gallery, Tucson, solo photo exhibit from the book Vacant Eden 1998
Museum of Neon Art, Los Angeles, solo exhibit of 45 photos from Vacant Eden 1997
Eleanor Jeck Gallery, Tucson, solo photo exhibit 1997
Group Shows
The Allbright Members Club, West Hollywood, 2020-2022
Jamestown, Rhode Island Art Center, curated by Annu Matthew July 2018
San Luis Obispo Museum of Art Sculpture Show 2018
LArtcore Gallery, Los Angeles, July, 2018
LArtcore Gallery, Los Angeles, July, 2017
CCSG gallery, co-sponsered by San Luis Obispo Museum of Art 2017
Orange County Center for Contemporary Art, juried show, 2012
Art of Photography, San Diego, Chief Curator, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco 2012
San Francisco Photo Alliance, 2009
Shidoni Sculpture Galleries, Santa Fe, photography shows, 2007
I-5 Gallery, Los Angeles, invitational 2004
Patricia Carlyle Gallery, Santa Fe, photo show, 2002
Museum of Neon Art, Los Angeles, invitational sculpture show, 2002-2003
Arizona Arts Commission award, traveling show of Vacant Eden, various museums and galleries 2001-2002
Shidoni Sculpture Galleries, Santa Fe, metal sculpture, 1996
Susan Street Gallery, Encinitas, sculpture show, 1996
Valerie Miller Gallery, Palm Desert, sculpture shows, 1994, 1995
Tesoro Gallery, Beverly Hills, 1992
Photo USA San Diego, San Francisco, Beverly Hills and Pasadena Civic Exhibits, 1970’s-80’s
Publications, Grants, Museum Purchases
The Handmade Photograph, featured and cover premier issue, April 2014
Visiting artist/instructor, Pima Community College, Tucson 2003-2005
Nevada Museum of Art purchased 6 images from Vacant Eden for permanent collection, Altered Landscapes
Artist in Residence Grant, Tucson Arts District Partnership, 1998, 1999
Los Angeles Times book review, 1998
Vacant Eden, Roadside Treasures of the Sonoran Desert, photographs of vintage Tucson motels BalconyPress,1997
Lingo Magazine #5 Spring 1996
Education
Univ. of California, Berkeley, BA Fine Art, sculpture
California College of Art, Oakland
School of the Boston Museum of Fine Art, Tufts, Boston
Video Abigail Gumbiner's sculpted photography process by David H. Wells
Link to LA Art Core show
Roadside Attractions, LA Art Core 2019
Coda:Chrome Radical Sculpture for People and Walls. September Brewery Arts Complex, Los Angeles 2016
PierceModern Gallery, Paso Robles, CA, 2013
Neon Museum of Art, Las Vegas: Nevada’s Neon Edens 2005
Museum of Neon Art, Los Angeles: Nevada’s Neon Edens 2004
Nevada Historical Society, Reno photo show 2003
Tohono Chul Gallery, Tucson, solo photo exhibit from the book Vacant Eden 1998
Museum of Neon Art, Los Angeles, solo exhibit of 45 photos from Vacant Eden 1997
Eleanor Jeck Gallery, Tucson, solo photo exhibit 1997
Group Shows
The Allbright Members Club, West Hollywood, 2020-2022
Jamestown, Rhode Island Art Center, curated by Annu Matthew July 2018
San Luis Obispo Museum of Art Sculpture Show 2018
LArtcore Gallery, Los Angeles, July, 2018
LArtcore Gallery, Los Angeles, July, 2017
CCSG gallery, co-sponsered by San Luis Obispo Museum of Art 2017
Orange County Center for Contemporary Art, juried show, 2012
Art of Photography, San Diego, Chief Curator, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco 2012
San Francisco Photo Alliance, 2009
Shidoni Sculpture Galleries, Santa Fe, photography shows, 2007
I-5 Gallery, Los Angeles, invitational 2004
Patricia Carlyle Gallery, Santa Fe, photo show, 2002
Museum of Neon Art, Los Angeles, invitational sculpture show, 2002-2003
Arizona Arts Commission award, traveling show of Vacant Eden, various museums and galleries 2001-2002
Shidoni Sculpture Galleries, Santa Fe, metal sculpture, 1996
Susan Street Gallery, Encinitas, sculpture show, 1996
Valerie Miller Gallery, Palm Desert, sculpture shows, 1994, 1995
Tesoro Gallery, Beverly Hills, 1992
Photo USA San Diego, San Francisco, Beverly Hills and Pasadena Civic Exhibits, 1970’s-80’s
Publications, Grants, Museum Purchases
The Handmade Photograph, featured and cover premier issue, April 2014
Visiting artist/instructor, Pima Community College, Tucson 2003-2005
Nevada Museum of Art purchased 6 images from Vacant Eden for permanent collection, Altered Landscapes
Artist in Residence Grant, Tucson Arts District Partnership, 1998, 1999
Los Angeles Times book review, 1998
Vacant Eden, Roadside Treasures of the Sonoran Desert, photographs of vintage Tucson motels BalconyPress,1997
Lingo Magazine #5 Spring 1996
Education
Univ. of California, Berkeley, BA Fine Art, sculpture
California College of Art, Oakland
School of the Boston Museum of Fine Art, Tufts, Boston
Video Abigail Gumbiner's sculpted photography process by David H. Wells
Link to LA Art Core show
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