Metis Atash

For over 15 years, Sponder Gallery has had the privilege of bringing exceptional art into extraordinary places, from The Boca Raton to Waterstone Resort and Marina, and now, the W Fort Lauderdale. Each partnership shares the same concept: to create spaces where world-class art lives alongside world-class experiences. The W Fort Lauderdale offers something unique. It's modern architecture, coastal light, and vibrant energy make it the perfect platform for the blue chip and contemporary works we represent.  We've brought together a mix that reflects our curatorial vision of esteemed estates, established voices, and bold emerging talents. Each work is placed with intention, creating moments of beauty, surprise, and conversation in every corner of the property.  

Crystal Clear | Glitz, spirituality and rebellion coexist in Metis Atash’s sparkling sculptures

BY JOHN THOMASON

AT FIRST BLUSH, Metis Atash’s career appears to have swung from one end of the spectrum to the other. She forged her career in finance, working in private equity for 15 years, mostly in her native Ger- many. It was exhausting, right-brain labor—consult- ing, preparing documents, filing annual reports—and it consumed her for up to 80 hours a week.

While traveling during a yearlong sabbatical from her job in 2004, Atash experienced something like an epiphany. “I stayed six months in Bali and met my business partner,” she recalls. “We became friends, not really thinking much, just realizing there was more to my life than what I’ve lived.” 

Her future business partner was a furniture ex- porter, and Atash began to create art on his inven- tory, applying paint, lacquer and Swarovski crystals. Around the same time, Atash, a practicing Buddhist, imported Balinese Buddha heads, and painted and crystallized those as well.