Entitled “Tanko”, this is a beautiful and sleek bronze cat sculpture by Barbara Beretich. This lounging cat is displayed while grooming itself with its curvy tail wrapping around it’s body and legs. Beretich’s unique use of patina accentuates the subtle presentation of movement. On a chair, sofa or on its own, this sculpture sits elegantly wherever it is placed.
This is a lost wax cast and the piece is from her home gallery as seen in picture #8. During her younger years in California, Beretich’s family raised multiple animals including hogs, cows, sheep and horses. After graduating from the University of Illinois with a BA in art. The following year Beretich spent time in Europe where she met and became lifelong friends with French artist, Francoise Gilot. Ater Europe, she moved to Claremont CA where she earned an MFA in sculpture and was one of the major influences on the “Claremont School” of artists. Later in her life she established her home based gallery who’s specialty was work by Claremont artists. Her home gallery was given historical-site status by the city of Claremont CA.