Florescence highlights the work of Sandra Osip, a Detroit based sculptor. Osip was born in Detroit, Michigan and received a BS from Wayne State University, and an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art. She has received two Michigan Council of Arts awards, and a commission titled “Progression”, for the Detroit People Mover at the Fort/Cass Station. Osip’s artwork was represented by the Hill gallery in Birmingham, MI., and Carl Hammer gallery, Chicago, with work in various art collections including the Detroit Institute of Art, Robert and Karen Duncan, Ray-O-Vac, Cranbrook Academy of Art, and 1st. National Bank of Chicago.
Osip moved to New York city in 1990, where she had work exhibited in Tiffany Windows, on 5th. Avenue and 57th. Street and received a prestigious New York Foundation of Arts award. In 1992 she spent time at the McDonald residency in Peterboro, New Hampshire. Osip relocated back to Detroit in 2019 and currently holds a studio at Russell Industrial Center. Her work was featured in 2021 at Wasserman Projects, Ocean Body, and a solo exhibition at University of Michigan Research Center in 2021.Osip’s work has been included in various exhibitions in Detroit as well as nationally.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Sandra Osip is a sculptor who reimagines materials into strikingly surreal depictions of nature. Her work blends the natural world with elements of the fantastic, delving into the intricate relationship between humanity and the environment.
“Florescence” is a body of work inspired by the natural world that deeply investigates the themes of life, death, and transformation which is the underpin of our existence. By drawing inspiration from organic cycles—germination, growth, decay, and rebirth—the work invites viewers to witness the perpetual rhythm of renewal that shapes our world. The depicted flowers are not merely aesthetic elements; they serve as powerful symbols of renewal and resilience within an Arcadian dreamscape, embodying the complexities of beauty, hope, and healing. Each blossom, with its unique form and fleeting presence, echoes the transient nature of existence while also suggesting the possibility of regeneration and adaptation. Through layers of symbolism and meaning, the botanical forms become a lens for examining the interplay between nature and contemporary social issues, particularly those surrounding gender identity and expression.
Florescence, defined as the process, state, or period of flowering or blooming, aptly captures the journey of this body of work in both its conceptual depth and stylistic progression. In the past, Osip gained recognition for her large-scale bent metal and bronze sculptures, which intricately merged aspects of nature with elements of industrialization. These creations frequently symbolized the destruction that occurs in both domains—physical and emotional—when the natural balance is disrupted in a stark and violent manner.
After spending many years in New York, her return to Michigan marked a shift in her work, which began to mirror the state of the world and the profound inequities within it.
