Elizabeth Saloka, an artist with a unique perspective, sees beauty and potential in the most unexpected places. While most people would overlook stray stones and rubble, Saloka sees a wealth of artistic inspiration. She scours through rock piles outside supermarkets, crumbling curbs, and demolished structures to find rocks that she can transform into vibrant replicas of everyday items like boxed sandwiches from Pret a Manger or Babybel brand snacking cheese.
One of Saloka’s creative endeavors involves using bricks to create whimsical stacks of $1 and $5 bills, while cut pavers become realistic replicas of Premium saltine cracker boxes. She has a keen eye for finding specific shapes and textures in rocks that mimic objects like Pink Pearl erasers or popular candies, and she collects as many of these rocks as she can.
Saloka’s artwork is heavily influenced by pop culture, featuring recognizable grocery store brands, fast food items, and even memes like the famous “IKEA monkey” in its signature shearling coat. Her pieces also evoke a sense of nostalgia, drawing inspiration from toys, analog film, and pantry staples that resonate with different generations.
If you’re in New York, you can catch a glimpse of Saloka’s work in the exhibition “Snacks and the City” at Gotham’s Chelsea gallery space from March 19 to May 3. She will also be featured in a group show at Galactic Panther from March 27 to May 21, as well as in a two-person show with Kate Bingaman-Burt at Women’s Studio Workshop and a solo exhibition at Here to Sunday in June. For more of Saloka’s creations, you can visit her Instagram profile.
Saloka’s talent lies in her ability to transform ordinary rocks into extraordinary works of art that capture the essence of everyday objects. Her unique approach to sculpting and painting rocks showcases her creativity and vision, making her a standout artist in the contemporary art scene.
