Visit the Exhibition

• Dates: February 28 – May 2, 2026
• Location: The Orchard Gallery, 489 25th Street, Oakland, CA 94612
• Closing Reception: Saturday, May 2 | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

What Awaits You at The Orchard

Visitors to the retrospective will experience a profound journey through five decades of artistic innovation. The exhibition showcases how Bella Feldman transformed rigid, industrial materials into deeply emotional and often surreal narratives.

Defining Elements of the Retrospective:

• Mastery of Contrasting Materials: Witness the seamless integration of blown glass, fabricated steel, and wood. The work highlights the tension between the “physically imposing” nature of metal and the “emotional fragility” of glass.
• Thematically Charged Forms: The sculptures serve as a meditation on the human condition, influenced by Feldman’s early life in New York City during World War II and the Holocaust. You will see recurring explorations of vulnerability, anxiety, and the “absurdities of power.”
• Iconic Series and Works: The collection features several of her most evocative pieces, including:
  • The War Series: Sculptures like Tank with Arrows and Chariot that use industrial motifs to offer a sharp critique of conflict.
  • Organic and Psychological Structures: Works such as Ova, Housebound, and Candide that probe the cycle of creation, destruction, and resilience.
  • Evolution of Style: Large-scale works like the 11-foot Sluice alongside more intimate, intricate pieces like Blow-Hard and Narwhal.

This exhibition is not just a display of skill, but a “constant invitation for viewers to consider the impermanence of all things” and a testament to a lifelong commitment to social justice through the lens of art.