Juno 1982

Reuben Nakian’s 'Juno', made with clay, is all about touch and the joy of pushing this very basic, earthly substance around. The way the clay has been worked, it’s so direct. You can almost feel Nakian's hands in the folds and pinches, like he's wrestling with the material, letting the clay lead the way. The texture has a crumbly, almost raw quality, and it's hard to tell whether the process is concealed or celebrated. It's not trying to be slick or perfect, and I love that! Look at how a particular coil of clay winds around itself, creating this kind of intimate, enclosed space. It reminds me how art is a conversation – Nakian probably looked at Rodin, maybe some ancient Greek stuff, and then he took it somewhere else completely, making it his own. Ultimately, 'Juno' feels like a question mark, an invitation to look and feel without needing all the answers.