The Coast Navigator June 29, 1995

Bodega Bay, California

Kurt Steger at the Ren Brown Collection Gallery

The Ren Brown Collection Gallery in Bodega Bay is now displaying the unique assemblages of Santa Rosa artist Kurt Steger. Featured are creations from his on going series " Altars to the Earth," whitch include both free standing and wall hung pieces that combine natural stone and carfully carved woods.

Previously, Steger has been known for his hand-fashioned custom furnishings employing exotic woods. More recently he has been exploring these less utilitarian and more creative constructions. His back ground in woodworking is evident in the exquisite craftsmanship. Steger uses the more commonly reconized woods such as walnut, vertical grain fir,and ebony as well as more exotic species; zircote, bubinga wenge and bocate.

These assemblages offer veiwer excitement on diverse levels of comprehension and appreciation. The intellect is challenged by the engineering skills involved in balancing and suspending stones wrapped with brass or copper wire. The complexity of textures, lines and surfaces appeal to the tactile as well as the visual sense. The overall composition speaks to the emotional and spiritual natures.

Some evoke a feeling of an altar, others the oriental temple gateways and still others are personally symbolic of mysticism and magic.

The Ren Brown Collection Gallery is located at 1781 Highway One in Bodega Bay; the hours are 10am to 5 pm daily and by appointment. [ 707 875-2922, or 800/585-2921, toll-free in northern California.