ANTHONY SONNENBERG

Steel, glazed porcelain, glass beads, found fabrics, wire

15 x 28 x 67 in

38.1 x 71.1 x 170.2 cm

2021-2023

Digital Photograph

2020

Site Specific Interactive Installation: Wood, found fabrics, found objects, recycled art works, video

25ft L x 15ftH x 15ft D approx

2022

In his raucous and performative work across a variety of media—including sculpture, ceramics, photography and video—Anthony Sonnenberg addresses art history, artifice and sincerity, spirit, and queer life. This elaborate installation brings together hand-crafted brass flora, swaths of silken fabric, tassels, tchotchkes, artificial flowers, real and fake antiques, photographs, and repurposed party decor into a riotously gilded composition. Sonnenberg gives Baroque art—which flourished in Europe from the early 16th century through the 1740 and was hallmarked by grandeur and flamboyance—his own exuberant twist. This exhibition’s title references the iconic 1978 funk disco hit by the gender- nonconforming singer and musical artist Sylvester. Through his work, Sonnenberg celebrates these histories. While he romances the Baroque, Sonnenberg also creates space for viewers to participate; gallery visitors are invited to step behind the façade and look out through the central portrait, surrounded by golden extravagance.

Found Fencing Mask, Fossilized Shells from Jurrasic Period, Brass, Found Fabric, 24 Karat Gold Leaf, Rock Crystal Quartz

13.5 x 8 x 9.5 in (34.3 x 20.3 x 24.1 cm)

2021

Edition

40x30 inches

2019

Vintage fabric, semi-precious stones, crystal, lace, fringe, & batting

48x30x3 inches

2018

Performance for Digital Video

Materials used during performance: Found objects, clay slip, artist body, assistant, disco music.

2019

Brass, Silver Solder, copper, steel, paint

12x9x5.5 inches

2017

Found Objects and fabric on top of found boxes, podiums and chairs.

Large scale site specific installation, dimensions variable

2017-18

Installation made possible by the Art Museum of South East Texas

Photo Credit: Joe Winston

Archival Ink Jet Print

30 x 20 inches

2018

Digital Video

Performed and filmed at Ox-Bow School of the Arts
Director of Photography: Steven J. Yazzie

found fabric, semi-precious stones, crystal beads, fringe, batting
68 x 56 x 2 inches

2016

Fabric, photographs, light fixture, found objects, silk flowers, tinsel, glitter, paint, foil tape, safety pins

Approximately 14 x 18 x 18 feet

2016

Archival inkjet print, mounted and laminated on Dibond

36 x 22 inches, Edition of 3

 2016

Materials of Crown: Hand Shaped brass sheeting, brass piping, silver solder and black porcelain with glaze. 

Materials of Costume: Found vintage clothing, fabric and antique lace

Found vintage quilt, semi‐precious stone and crystal beads, lace,

30x27x7 inches approx. each

2017

Taxidermy, ceramic, glass, found objects, and fabric

2012

A large scale installation forming the solo portion of MFA Thesis exhibitions at the University of Washington's 3D4M North Gallery

Archival Inkjet Print

Materials of crown - Hand cut and shaped brass sheeting, brass piping, red coral, silver solder. 

2014

Taxidermy bobcat, porcelain, gold luster, gold leaf, fresh water pearls, glass, found objects, mix media.

5' x 6' x 3'

2011

Hand cut and shaped brass sheeting, brass pipe, solder, hydrostone, steel, dildo motors

34” x 34” x 70”

2012

Found fabric, semi-precious stones, crystal beads, fringe, batting

70 x 36 x 3 inches

 2015

Archival inkjet print, mounted and laminated on Dibond

33 x 22 inches, Edition of 3

 2016

Materials of Crown: Hand Shaped brass sheeting, brass piping, silver solder and black porcelain with glaze. 

Materials for Cloak: Vintage and antique handkerchiefs, doilies, and lace, fabric dye

Found vintage quilt, fresh water pearls, semi-precious stones, crystal beads, vintage trim, stuffing

60" x 28" x 2"

2012-15

Hand cut brass sheeting, brass piping, bear skin rug

2010

Found vintage cushion cover, pyrite, hematite, fresh-water pearls, crystal beads, 100 pounds of sand

34" x 10" x 25"

2014

Digital documentation of a live performance at the Seattle Art Museum during the SAM Remix, October 28th, 2011.

Photography by Rachel Lang

Dirty Cadets performed by:
Amanda James Parker
Max Kraushaar
Meghan Hartwig

Best Not To Be

A live performance made in collaboration with Graham Downing
featured in Genre Bender @ the Culture Club during the CityArts Fest 2012 in Seattle WA.

Also featuring performances by Marni Rose Long Dworkin and Stephan Goodman.

Performance Description:

“Pertinently to this they say that Midas, after hunting, asked his captive Silenus somewhat urgently, what was the most desirable thing among humankind. At first he could offer no response, and was obstinately silent. At length, when Midas would not stop plaguing him, he erupted with these words, though very unwillingly: ‘you, seed of an evil genius and precarious offspring of hard fortune, whose life is but for a day, why do you compel me to tell you those things of which it is better you should remain ignorant? For he lives with the least worry who knows not his misfortune; but for humans, the best for them is not to be born at all, not to partake of nature’s excellence; not to be is best, for both sexes. This should our choice, if choice we have; and the next to this is, when we are born, to die as soon as we can.’ It is plain therefore, that he declared the condition of the dead to be better than that of the living.”
–Aristotle, Eudemus (354 BCE), surviving fragment quoted in Plutarch, Moralia,Consolatio ad Apollonium, sec. xxvii (1st cen. CE)(S.H. transl.)

Best Not to Be is a continuation rather than a retelling of this ancient tale from Aristotle. Our goal is simple. We seek to discover what life would be like today for an immortal that longs for death.
 

Human Skull, 23k gold leaf, brass sheeting, brass piping, jade

54” x 16” x 6”

2011

Brocade fabric, semi-precious stones, cultured pearls, crystal beads

2011

Taxidermy Fox, crystal beads, porcelain, bones, mixed media

6'x4'x5

2009

Porcelain, metallic glaze, copper plated turkey foot, borosilicate glass

2012

Fabric, fox faces, deer antlers, beads, crystals, rabbit fur

2009