Ruby Neri embraces a broad spectrum of figuration, drawing upon idiosyncratic 20th century West Coast traditions as well as a global catalogue of art historical and anthropological modes. Over the last two decades she has moved fluidly from one material to another¿including ceramic, plaster, metal, and paint¿to generate highly personal works of emotional immediacy. Ceramic objects and vessels have played an increasingly central role, and she has recently begun to experiment with the material in new ways: increasing the scale of the objects, painting more complex compositions on their surfaces, and more intricately weaving together the pictorial and sculptural aspects of each work. These advances have allowed her to bring new perspectives to the expressively rendered human figures that are her most frequent subjects. With exaggerated anatomical features and facial expressions that merge ecstasy and hysteria, Neri¿s recent objects evoke an intensity paralleled in her direct approach to her materials. This catalogue, the first publication dedicated solely to her work, documents the solo exhibition ¿Slaves and Humans¿, on view at David Kordansky Gallery in Los Angeles from July 23 until August 27, 2016. Featuring a specially commissioned essay that considers Neri against the historical backdrop of the Bay Area Figurative Movement and situates her among a group of contemporary artists making work that focuses on the human form, this book, designed by Purtill Family Business, provides a richly illustrated and in-depth look at a groundbreaking show of new ceramic sculptures. In addition to David Kordansky Gallery, Neri has been the subject of solo and two-person exhibitions at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; Los Angeles Museum of Art; and Gallery Paule Anglim, San Francisco. Recent group exhibitions include shows at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield, Connecticut; Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse, New York; Lever House, New York; Rubell Family Collection, Miami; Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena, California; and High Line Art, New York. Neri lives and works in Los Angeles. Essay by Jenelle Porter.