Elizabeth Saloka Transforms Found Rocks into Painted Snacks and Objects

New York-based artist Elizabeth Saloka creates detailed painted sculptures from found rocks, making them resemble comfort foods and household items. She has been working with this medium for approximately a decade, initially drawn to it due to the high cost of traditional art supplies. Saloka collects stones from construction sites, parking lots, and sidewalks, selecting each piece based on its natural shape to guide the final artwork. Her solo exhibition 'Snacks and the City,' featuring 70 of these works, is on view at Gotham Chelsea in New York until May 3, 2026. The artist's practice explores themes of consumption and how food influences comfort and identity.