Sherrie Wolf

For the month of July, Russo Lee Gallery presents Abstraction by Sherrie Wolf. Known for her intricate still lifes and evocative compositions, Wolf’s new body of work captures the beauty and complexity of form found in the familiar, from bustling produce markets in Italy and Mexico to intimate corners of Wolf’s home and studio. Richly rendered paintings of fruits, shoes, neckties, and vintage vessels become studies in color, shape, and space. “These scenes offer a visual feast of form and color,” says Wolf. “Nature’s abundance becomes a point of departure for abstraction.” A central thread of the exhibition is Wolf’s exploration of Pumps and Brogues—sparked by a spontaneous glance at her own shoes on the studio floor. These works investigate pairings, separations, and the subtle anthropomorphic qualities of everyday items. From well-worn black pumps to a beloved brother’s necktie, each object is a talisman—holding memory, evoking presence, and inviting reflection on gender roles and nostalgia. Throughout the series, light plays a vital role. Reflections on glossy surfaces echo the surrounding hues, while restrained backgrounds—often rendered in shades of red—create emotional resonance and symbolic depth. “Red has an emotional connection for me,” Wolf notes. “It’s the lipstick of my youth, and a color with infinite variation and deep associations.”

Opening Reception: July 3, 2025 | 5:00—7:00 PM

Artist Talk: July 12, 2025 | 11:00 AM

Sherrie Wolf graduated from the Museum Art School, now PNCA (Pacific Northwest College of Art) in Portland, Oregon, in 1974, and went on to earn her MA from Chelsea College of Art in London, England, in 1975. She began exhibiting her work in the mid-1970s while teaching at PNCA. Wolf’s work is in numerous public collections, including the Portland Art Museum, Portland, OR; the Hallie Ford Museum, Salem, OR; the Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma WA; the Cleveland Art Institute, Cleveland OH; the Long Beach Museum of Art, Long Beach CA; the Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff AZ; the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at Portland State University, Portland OR; the City of Seattle, and the Washington State Art Collection. Over the course of her career, she has been featured in many curated solo and group exhibitions nationwide. Notable solo exhibitions include a 2012 show at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, a 2014 exhibition at the Long Beach Museum of Art in Southern California, and a 2023 solo presentation at the Schneider Museum of Art in Ashland, Oregon.

Artist Statement 2025

Abstraction

July 3 – August 2, 2025

Press Release