SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

SORREL SKY GALLERY CELEBRATES STAR LIANA YORK WITH A MAJOR 50-YEAR RETROSPECTIVE

Artist Reception and Collector Talk Set for June 5, 2026

SANTA FE, NM — Sorrel Sky Gallery invites collectors, art enthusiasts, and the press to an evening celebrating one of the American West's most distinctive sculptural voices. On June 5, 2026, from 5 to 8 PM, the gallery's Santa Fe location at 125 W Palace Avenue will host a retrospective reception honoring fifty years of Star Liana York's bronze sculpture. At 6 PM, York will speak on the art and experience of collecting three-dimensional work, offering rare insight into the relationship between sculpture, setting, and the collector's eye.

The evening will feature iconic works, including Dreamcatcher, Prayer Chant, and Touch the Earth, pieces that exemplify York's signature ability to render the Western narrative and Native spirit of the Southwest with emotional depth and striking visual presence.

An Artist Who Defies Convention

In a genre where, as York herself observes, "there tends to be a sameness to much of the work," she has spent five decades doing something harder: developing a personal, unique perspective in every piece she creates. Her bronzes range from miniature to monumental, from dynamic action pieces to works of deep contemplation, and she brings to all of them an intense polychrome palette that sets her apart from artists working in more traditional brown patinas. "I like bringing a bright palette of colors to my sculptures," York explains. "It seems to me to be a more accurate reflection of the True West, which was, after all, colorful, both literally and figuratively."

Her figurative approach is equally considered. While her attention to detail is often noted, York describes her surface handling as fundamentally impressionistic. "To give the work life, I make a conscious effort not to overwork the detail," she says. "I like to tell a story, and working figuratively allows me to render an account of an event, action, or mood in a way that is more accessible to people."

A Life Shaped by the West

York's connection to her subjects is not academic. At fifteen, she acquired her first horse and went on to ride in horse shows and rodeos, developing a deep appreciation for the relationship between animal and human that remains central to the Western experience and to her work. Her move to the Southwest in 1985 proved transformative, introducing her to Native peoples, ancient rock art, and landscapes that expanded her vision and gave her art a new dimension. Over the decades, her subjects have evolved from Western narrative and wildlife toward something more universal, exploring the rhythms that connect human beings to earth elements and animal spirits.

The titles she gives her work reflect this poetic sensibility. "I give a lot of thought to titles because I like them not only to have a poetic resonance, but also to give an added insight into the work," York explains, "or at least to contribute to the mood of the piece instead of being purely descriptive."

A Career of Distinction

York's sculptures have received numerous awards and widespread critical recognition. In 1998, she was honored with a retrospective at the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 2001, Southwest Art Magazine named her one of the 30 most influential artists of the past 30 years. Her work is held in private and institutional collections throughout the United States.

Event Details

Star Liana York: Fifty Years of Bronze June 5, 2026 | 5–8 PM Artist Talk: 6 PM Sorrel Sky Gallery Santa Fe | 125 W Palace Avenue, Santa Fe, NM sorrelsky.com | 505.501.6555.

About the Artist

Star Liana York has been creating bronze sculpture for over fifty years, building a body of work that stands apart in the American West tradition for its emotional range, colorful polychrome patinas, and deeply personal perspective. Since relocating to the Southwest in 1985, her work has drawn on Western narrative, Native cultures, wildlife, and the region's ancient rock art, evolving into an exploration of the universal rhythms that connect human beings to the earth and animal spirit. York's sculptures range from miniature to monumental, from action-driven pieces to works of quiet contemplation, and each carries what she describes as "a convincing inner life." Her career has earned her numerous awards and widespread critical recognition, including a 1998 retrospective at the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and a 2001 selection by Southwest Art Magazine as one of the 30 most influential artists of the past 30 years. York's bronzes are held in private and institutional collections throughout the United States and are represented exclusively in the Southwest by Sorrel Sky Gallery.

About Sorrel Sky Gallery

The forward-thinking approach to the art world at Sorrel Sky Gallery pairs a distinctive collection of contemporary and traditional fine art and jewelry with an unparalleled client experience. Sorrel Sky Gallery has retail locations in Durango, Colorado (2002), Santa Fe, New Mexico (2014), New York, New York (2024), and East Hampton (2025) in addition to a robust online presence at SorrelSky.com. Sorrel Sky Gallery represents several acclaimed artists, including Star Liana York, Ben Nighthorse, Thom Ross, and David Yarrow.

High-resolution images are available upon request.

About Sorrel Sky Gallery

The forward-thinking approach to the art world at Sorrel Sky Gallery pairs a distinctive collection of contemporary and traditional fine art and jewelry with an unparalleled client experience. The gallery represents several acclaimed artists, including Star Liana York, Thom Ross, Ben Nighthorse, and David Yarrow. Since opening, Sorrel Sky Gallery has captured state, regional, and national attention with its commitment to diverse artistic narratives and client relationships.

High-resolution images are available upon request.

Gallery Locations:
Durango, CO: 828 Main Avenue
Santa Fe, NM: 125 West Palace Avenue
SoHo, NY: 419 West Broadway
East Hampton, NY: 58 Park Place