Carole A. Feuerman: The Illusory Hyperrealist

While walking around ArtHamptons, a quick glance at Carole Feuerman’s installations spur a double take. Why is there a woman stuck in the wall and why are the water droplets on her face and arms not succumbing to gravity’s pull?

Feuerman’s career spans four decades and includes time as an illustrator and more recently, a sculptor drawing inspiration from water patterns and emotions. Her works can be found at the museum at Queensborough Community College, Jim Kempner Art in New York City, as well as The Emperor of Japan’s, President Bill Clinton’s and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s private collections. While other sculptors focus on the abstract, the seasoned artist calls her work “hyperrealism” that pinpoints the fight in healthy women.

“My goal is to achieve serenity and peace while they struggle to achieve something,” Feuerman said during a phone interview with Hamptons.com.

Carole A. Feuerman’s Grande Catalina symbolizes female empowerment. (Courtesy Photo)

At first glance, it looks like Feuerman sculpts with the diver in mind. However, the water is what inspires her most. In her opinion, everyone has a feeling about water and it is essential to everyone. It does not transform in areas of disaster, it is constant.
Her style, which she calls hyperrealism and sometimes “trompe l’eoil,” incorporates mostly bronze and resin. The only part of her sculptures that use something other than her two original ingredients is the hair under the diver’s bathing caps. Some of her most well known works include “Survival of Serena,” “Grand Catalina,” and she recently unveiled a new sculpture called “Double Diver.”

Feuerman first started in the art world when she painted her mother’s kitchen floor at 3 years old. In college, she paid her way through by creating cover images for Rolling Stone and movie posters. At the time, she went by Carole Jean. As she transitioned into sculpting, she also started to go by her full name that she still uses today.

When she is not in the studio, she likes spending time with her family.

“I have a large family so my life is either taken up by my family or my career,” Feuerman said. “I’m a workaholic when I’m not doing my work, I’m thinking about my work.”

She also guest lectures when she is not showing her works around the country or working with the Carole A. Feuerman Sculpture Foundation. The goal of the foundation is to give opportunities to unknown sculptors who Feuerman believes have the potential to give back to their communities. In addition, the foundation was established to preserve Feuerman’s legacy- a legacy that will include the female struggle.

“For a woman to understand who she is, she has to look within,” she said at the ArtHamptons meet-and-greet.

One thing that Feuerman would not divulge? Her water drops. Those are all hers.

For more information about Carole Feuerman’s work visit www.carolefeuerman.com.