Kathleen Sherman
Assemblage & Sculpture
Kathleen Sherman is a Denver-based sculptor whose work explores the transformative power of masks through what she calls "serious whimsy." Her sculptures invite viewers to create their own stories about the characters she brings to life, using organic materials like gourds combined with found objects to achieve a folk-art aesthetic.
Artist Statement
"My art is my visual voice. It tells a story. It displays my love of colors and textures and also my belief that art can come from almost anything. I hope that the viewer is intrigued by the pieces and will continually find new aspects in them that surprise and engage. While I do make very serious whimsy, creating art gives me a chance to challenge myself while finding new ways to use found objects and organic materials (gourd seeds, bones, shells, etc.)"
About Kathleen
Kathleen Sherman is a sculptor based in Denver, Colorado, who transitioned from commercial art to fine art at age 50. After moving to downtown Denver, she established her first studio in the historic Piggly Wiggly building near the baseball stadium, where she began her exploration of mask-making and sculpture.
Sherman’s work is characterized by what she calls “serious whimsy” – pieces that combine humor and depth while exploring themes of identity, transformation, and storytelling. She draws inspiration from folk tales, folk art, Chinese art, and Japanese netsukes, creating sculptures that “allow people to create their own story about the piece.” Sculptor Kathleen Sherman on Wearing Masks and Serious Whimsy | The Art Gym Denver Her preferred medium includes organic materials, particularly gourds (which she has grown herself at the Denver Botanic Gardens), combined with found objects and unconventional materials that maintain an organic, folk-art aesthetic.
Central to Sherman’s artistic philosophy is her fascination with masks and their transformative power. She believes masks offer people “a chance to be something else, or even more of who you really are,” Sculptor Kathleen Sherman on Wearing Masks and Serious Whimsy | The Art Gym Denver and her sculptures often incorporate mask-like elements that invite viewer interaction and personal interpretation. Her work has been exhibited in various venues including museums, and she continues to explore the concept of masks through different artistic representations, always emphasizing the stories her pieces can tell without words.