Matters of Gravity

Maloof Foundation for the Arts

Rancho Cucamonga

2021 – 2023

Matters of Gravity showcases the work of two sculptors grappling with gravity in very distinct ways. Tanya Kovaleski’s dynamically engineered wooden structures arch skyward in gravity-defying angles and curves, all painted in bold colors. Martha Moran’s rock stacks deal with mass and balance, rooted to the earth.

“This exhibit has been a great opportunity for me to explore new work – including ‘Buddha Beach Maloof’ and several new Altars”.

BUDDHA BEACH MALOOF

Buddha Beach in Sedona, Arizona is a Vortex Spot with rockstacks everywhere -- on the ground, in the trees and river. It feels like you’re surrounded by wood sprites. And if you turn fast enough, you’ll catch them whispering to each other.

So here is my version: Buddha Beach Maloof – but instead of river rock, I’ve used fossilized clamshells and ammonites, petrified wood, obsidian, geodes, colorful sandstones, fairy stones and other of Nature’s many wonders.

Oblong Trailmarker

Petrified Wood, Australian Zebra stone, Aragonite, Antique Slag Glass, Obsidian on oblong boulder with Quebec Fairy Stone inlays, on Indian Paint Base

Madagascar Fairy Stone Stack

This unusual concretion is from Madagascar with Petrified Wood and local stones

Geode Buddha

Polished Agate, Antique Slag Glass and Petrified Wood sit atop a local boulder

From Many Countries

The polished top stone is from Australia, Petrified Wood from Arizona, Flint from Poland, Honeycomb Mudstone from Utah, base stone…. no idea where it’s from!

Sunset Balancing Act

Wonderstone with local beach stone

Of the Sea

Fossilized shell, Petrified Wood, Utah Honeycomb Mudstone on variegated base

Ammonite Stack

Fossilized Ammonite sits atop Aragonite, Utah Honeycomb Mudstone, Basalt and Central Coast Beach Boulder

Geode Short Stack

Polished Geode, California Sandstone, Flint, Local boulder on Bacon stone base

Winged Eye

Polished Agate, Petrified Wood, Shrapnel, Verde Antique Marble on Local stone and Basalt base

Simple Balance

Central Coast stones with Petrified Wood on local boulder

Tiny Skyscraper

Australian Orbicular Granite with Indian Paint Rock, concretions & beach stones atop an unusually shaped stone I found in my Ojai garden

Sunset Balancing Act

Wonderstone with local beach stone

Mother and Child

Local stones on colorful unknown baserock

Mother and Child

Local stones on colorful unknown baserock

Simple Elegance

Rosetta Concretion atop Petrified Wood, Picasso Marble, Obsidian and beach stones

Small Wonder

Another unique geode, Petrified Wood, Picasso Stone, Fossilized Seastone and Quartzite base

Nature's Wonder

An unusual sandstone formation atop a stack of Aragonite, Petrified Wood on a Utah sandstone base

Trailmarker 1

Petrified Wood, Indian Paint Rock Utah Honeycomb Mudstone, Flint on Local Boulder

Sespe Stack

"Found stone" from the Sespe area with Quartzite, Morro Bay beach rock and local boulder

Trailmarker Tower

Petrified Wood, Aragonite, Quartzite, Picasso Marble, Beach Stones from Big Sur coastline

Nature's Oddities

Stone found near Colorado River with Aragonite, Indian Paint Rock on Lava Base

Tiny Skyscraper

Australian Orbicular Granite with Indian Paint Rock, concretions & beach stones atop an unusually shaped stone I found in my Ojai garden

Wonderstone Trailmarker

Petrified Wood, Aragonite, Obsidian, beach rock & Wonderstone

Oooh! Oooh! Owl Stack

Found at my house, this owl-like sandstone, with Aragonite, Granite, beachstones and some gorgeous base rock with fossilized sea creatures

Play Ball!

Fossilized Clam Shell, Howlite, Sandstone on beach boulder and Indian Paint Base

Simple Balance

Central Coast stones with Petrified Wood on local boulder

ALTARS AND OTHER SCULPTURES

“My new altars address other “Matters of Gravity”: the sorrow caused by the Pandemic, Global Warming and the fires raging because of it.”

Tears for Those Lost in the Pandemic

Assemblage with a bowl of Apache Tears, considered a grief stone, for anyone who has lost someone to take.

Tears for Those Lost in the Pandemic

Matador

Copper, Petrified Wood, Azurite and beach rocks on steel base

Touching Noses & Matador

Matador

Shall We Dance & Last Icebergs

Last Icebergs

Brazilian Blue Marble, Aragonite, Basalt column and Fossilized stone base with Fairy Stone inlays

Last Icebergs

Altar Memorializing Richard's Lost Drum Set

My friend Richard lost his home in the Thomas Fir. A burnt cymbal from his drum set may have lost its tone, but still a beautiful reminder of loss and regeneration.

Sunset Stack

Petrified Wood, Antique Slag Glass, Metal Shrapnel and boulders

Sunset Stack

Fire Altar II

Built from wood and stone charred in the Thomas Fire. The “fire” is Panther Stone from India, the hills, sandstone and slate.

Blue Bridges to Loma & Fire Altar II

The Wave

Verde antique marble, fossilized clams on a Kansas limestone fencepost

In Flight

Basalt, white flint, petrified wood, verde antique marble and beach stones on a Kansas limestone fencepost

In Flight

Portal

Basalt, flagstone, Quartzite and a split Ojai “sand ball” on a wood and steel base

Copper Whimsy

Brazilian nodule, jasper, copper and verde antique marble stacked on a Kansas limestone fencepost

Phoenix Re-Tuned

Charred wood and a burnt cymbal from my friend Richard’s drum set – both casualties of the Thomas Fire – are the centerpieces of this altar as well as Aragonite, Petrified and beach wood, Dalmatian stone and pebbles from Morro Bay.

Bird of Prey

Sespe sandstone, honeycomb Murdock from Utah and beach stones stacked on a Kansas limestone fencepost

Sunset Stack & Bird of Prey

Sunset Stack: Petrified Wood, Antique Slag Glass, Metal Shrapnel and boulders / Bird of Prey: Sespe sandstone, honeycomb Murdock from Utah and beach stones stacked on a Kansas limestone fencepost

Coral Fountain

Fossilized Coral, Three Rivers Flagstone and Black Belgian Marble

Window Rock

Beach stone with Obsidian Apache Tear inlays, Rusted Metal on steel base.