From elemental materials like alabaster, quartz, garnet, and bronze, Debra Baxter assembles jewel-like sculptures that explore consciousness, nature, anatomy, and spirituality. For her most recent body of work on view now in Ascent at Roq La Rue, the artist meanders into a more mystical side of history, infused with a tinge of punk and, somewhat paradoxically, a meditative calm.

Detail of "The Day I Tried to Live (For Brad)," bronze, jade, and quartz crystals, 6 x 4 x 5 inches
Photography by Sarah McIntyre.
Open view of “Fade into You,” bronze and quartz crystal, 6 x 6 x 4 inches
Closed view of “Fade into You”
“Crack,” alabaster, quartz crystal, and wood, 21 x 10 x 10 inches
“The Day I Tried to Live (For Brad),” bronze, jade, and quartz crystals, 6 x 4 x 5 inches
“Spill,” alabaster and steel, 6 x 10 x 5 inches
“Veil,” alabaster and Valencian lace cast in bronze, 10 x 11 x 7 inches
Front view of “We Love You,” garnet and bronze, 5 x 3 x 3 inches
Reverse view of “We Love You”
“Anchor,” bronze, smoky quartz, and epoxy clay, 8 x 5 x 4 inches