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In a thrilling premiere, sculptor Scarlett Kanistanaux will be making her Art Miami 2024 debut with Boca Raton-based Sponder Gallery, offering a rare opportunity for South Florida collectors to experience her deeply spiritual work firsthand. Known for her evocative ceramic and bronze portraits inspired by Buddhist monastic life, Kanistanaux’s sculptures capture the serene dignity and quiet power of young monks and nuns—a resonant and timely choice for the culturally diverse art lovers of Miami.

For Kanistanaux, who hails from Erie, Colorado, this appearance with Sponder Gallery marks an exciting milestone in her career. Sponder Gallery has long been a fixture in South Florida's art scene, and this collaboration highlights the gallery's commitment to showcasing artists whose work resonates with universal themes. Kanistanaux’s introspective portraits align seamlessly with the gallery’s vision, creating an ideal fit for both artist and gallery.

Beverly Cuyler, Sponder Gallery Director, expressed enthusiasm for bringing Kanistanaux’s work to the prestigious Art Miami stage. "Scarlett's work touches on themes that are profoundly universal—compassion, introspection, and a quest for peace," said Cuyler. "We are thrilled to introduce her powerful sculptures to the Art Miami audience and share her vision of harmony and reflection with South Florida's passionate art collectors."

"Sacred Breath", by Scarlett Kanistanaux (2024) is a striking bronze sculpture standing 60 inches tall, a testament to the artist’s profound engagement with themes of serenity and spiritual introspection. Rendered in a minimalist form, this work echoes the serene countenance found in historical Buddhist sculptures, yet Kanistanaux reinterprets these ancient motifs with a distinctly contemporary sensibility. The closed eyes and subtly upturned lips of the figure suggest a state of deep meditation, inviting viewers into a quiet, contemplative space. The simplified facial structure eschews elaborate detail, allowing the viewer’s focus to rest on the essence of peace embodied within the form. The smooth surface and subtle curves reflect Kanistanaux’s commitment to capturing the purity of the subject’s inner world rather than an ethnographic likeness, positioning the piece as a universal symbol of tranquility and self-awareness rather than a direct cultural representation.

Kanistanaux’s sculptures are celebrated for their minimalistic grace, conveying virtues of compassion, forgiveness, and loving-kindness through serene and meditative expressions. As a former athlete turned artist, Kanistanaux transitioned from billboard painting to "sacred art," a practice that seeks to evoke universal human virtues. Her work has moved viewers worldwide and is part of esteemed collections around the globe.

This Art Miami 2024 debut marks not only Kanistanaux's entry into one of the country’s premier art fairs but also strengthens her connection to a significant collector base within South Florida, where art lovers are drawn to works that foster deeper human connections. With Sponder Gallery’s longstanding presence and Kanistanaux’s harmonious artistry, this showing is expected to captivate audiences and deepen her appeal among collectors seeking both beauty and meaning.

With roots in Buddhist traditions yet transcending cultural boundaries, Kanistanaux’s sculptures reflect a universal language that speaks to our shared human experiences. Her work doesn’t simply replicate Eastern traditions but instead captures the spiritual essence that resonates across humanity. Through her pieces, Kanistanaux invites viewers to reconnect with their own sense of calm and inner peace—a timeless offering at the heart of Sponder Gallery’s representation and her artistic debut at Art Miami.

For more information on Sponder Gallery, visit www.spondergallery.com. You can also reach them by email at info@spondergallery.com or by calling 561-350-0004. Don’t miss their booth at Art Miami – check it out at https://www.artmiami.com/dealerdetails/119/sponder-gallery for a firsthand experience of Scarlett Kanistanaux’s debut Art Miami art fair collection.

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