Beth Cavener Stichter (California/Ohio, b. 1972) contemporary sculpture titled, "Darkness Just Before Dawn", from the artist's Figurative Series, 1998-2002, featured on her website, followtheblackrabbit.com/Figurative_Series/htm. Stoneware with white engobes and stains, smoke fired, antique key, depicting a female nude rooted to the ground and surrounded by a partial wall of bricks, holding a key. 14" H overall x 15" W x 22-1/2" D. Biography (courtesy of Armory Art Center, West Palm Beach, FL): Beth Cavener Stichter is the daughter of a molecular biologist and a sculptor (Nancy Jacobsohn). The connections between art and science have always been at the heart of her work. She earned an MFA in Ceramics from Ohio State and a BA from Haverford College and was a resident artist at the Archie Bray Foundation for two years. Provenance: Property of the estate of Arlene Goldstine, Knoxville, TN, purchased in 1999. Condition: Overall very good condition with minor shallow chipping to a few of the root tips and bricks. Scattered surface staining to right side of face and abdomen. Green tape on base of figure to prevent slipping.