1990s Kay Hofmann Signed Hand-Carved Spanish Alabaster “Butterfly Woman” Abstract Sculpture

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A signed, hand-carved Spanish alabaster sculpture by American artist Kay Hofmann, depicting an abstract female figure integrated with stylized butterfly … Read more A signed, hand-carved Spanish alabaster sculpture by American artist Kay Hofmann, depicting an abstract female figure integrated with stylized butterfly wings.

Rounded, sculptural forms unite the figure and wings, while dramatic coral-pink, rose and cream striations flow across the carving. The polished surfaces emphasize the stone’s natural figuring, contrasting with the rough-hewn lower edge. The composition offers a distinct presence from multiple viewpoints, balancing figurative detail with organic abstraction.

Kay Hofmann (born 1932) is an American sculptor known for hand-carved stone works that balance the female figure with organic abstraction. A 1955 graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, she subsequently studied in Paris with Cubist sculptor Ossip Zadkine. Working without power tools, Hofmann carves and polishes her sculptures by hand, exploring movement and the relationship between the human body and natural forms. Her work has been exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago and Illinois State Museum, with solo presentations at PATRON in Chicago and François Ghebaly in Los Angeles.

Signed “Kay Hofmann” near the base.

A substantial stone sculpture for a pedestal, console or collected display of modern art. See less