Photos and reporting by Robert Kokenyesi, Ceramic Artist, Beachfront Pottery, Godfrey, IL, 62035, USA. If you enjoyed this post, then give me a “like” on my Facebook page. There is additional information about Beachfront Pottery on my web site.
The Venue
The “Ceramic Centric” exhibit took place from April 12 through May 24, 2019, in the galleries of the Foundry Art Centre, St Charles, Missouri.
The picture on the left is the title wall for the exhibit; the picture on the right is the gallery pictured from the title wall.
The Call for Entry
It must be a human instinct to create with mud. Ancient civilizations around the globe seemed to reach the same conclusion about this resource at various times in history. If you take earth, wet it, shape it, and fire it, something useful, beautiful, and elemental is formed. From this invention, mud bricks, drinking vessels, and sculptures were created. With Ceramic Centric, we seek to celebrate how current artists translate this ancient medium. The artwork in this exhibition will be comprised primarily of clay. As creating with this medium is not limited to the three dimensional, wall hanging ceramic works are encouraged.
The Ceramic Art Pieces
This post, Part 3 of four, reports on figurative sculptures in the exhibit. Part 1 was about vessels; Part 2 was about wall pieces; Part 4 will be about abstract sculptures.
Lisa’s statement reads: “The “Finding Balance” series grew from my struggle to find balance in my own life. The ability of others to work within themselves as well as with partners, groups and communities to find a healthy, workable equilibrium interests me. Finding balance in life is an ever changing and often-elusive quest as we are filled with personal desires, hopes, dreams, and goals that may or may not be aligned with people or events we experience. Striving for a life lived in harmony with others while honoring our own agenda is a lifelong journey. Exercise, dance and yoga have always been a part of my life. I am drawn to the amazing abilities of the body. For me, the idea of finding equilibrium in life found a natural parallel in the balance needed for the physical demands of these pursuits. ” Visit her web site for more of her works.
Casey’s statement reads: “Bobby Pins” attempt to make the visible-invisible-visible. A gendered object, a tool for transformation, scaled and reconfigured.” For his diverse art works visit his web site.
Rachel did not provide an artist statement for these two pieces. I couldn’t find a statement on her web site or facebook page either. Check out her web site for a diverse set of art works.
Rachel did not provide an artist statement for these two pieces. I couldn’t find a statement on her web site or facebook page either. Check out her web site for a diverse set of art works.
Kevin’s statement reads: “As a cultural hybrid, my work addresses individuality, taste, and desire from a marginalized perspective. In being complicit with stereotypes, I question the role of personal identity as a construct of cultural value. Drawing from past and present histories I use humor and double entendre to probe social sensitivities, facilitating a dialogue between sex, nature and fetish. Lately, my work represents the exploration of seduction and folly through surface and form. Comprised of multiples and combines, I construct objects referencing myth, objectification, narcissism, and the eternal gaze.” For more of Kevin’s work look up his web site.
Vincent’s statement reads: ” Vincent Stemmler’s work incorporates various mediums and forms, but almost always has some aspect of collage. For Stemmler this is a reflection of his identity as a mixed race person, but also a person who was raised by many different people. We live in a collage of experiences -says Stemmler. In this way the idea of collage reflects personal identity and social experience through an accumulation of experiences lived through clay. ” I couldn’t find a dedicated web site, but here is his Instagram page.
Suzanne;s statement reads: ” Is it reality or is it the representation of reality? To a casual observer these sculptures may appear real. In reality everything was created from porcelain clay. Clay slabs manipulated, molded, printed upon, and assembled into a “still life in time”. Trompe l’oeil is the art of illusion. It is a game artists play with spectators to raise questions about the nature of art and perception. As a clay artist this game challenges me to use all information and tricks of trade I learned to make the piece look real. You’re thinking to yourself, how did she make this? Pieces start as wet clay slabs that are assembled and they are fired to make them hard. Colors are brushed onto pieces using underglazes, and ceramic pencils are used for writing before the second firing. All the pieces were constructed by hand 14% larger than they are now to allow for shrinkage during the drying and firing processes. What you feel if you touch the sculpture is not what you see.” Visit her web site for more of her works.
“Alexander’s statement reads: ”
I strive to hold on to every memory that I can. Thinking about family holidays reminds me of how we remember people, places, and things. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of someone? What color was that thing and why do I remember it so fondly? These are questions that I enjoy answering and enjoy exploring. My work is influenced by how we remember things and how we value
memories. In my work I use objects to show memory, time, and the attempt the preserve both of those things. Currently, I am using furniture to tell stories, influenced by my past and current fears but also stories that can be seen in everyday life. Objects have meaning for everyone in different ways and as those objects move throughout place and time, their meanings or values change. These are the stories I tell. Visit his web site for more of his work.
Sandy’s statement reads: “I’ve been working in clay at Craft Alliance, and participating in exhibits and selling my artwork since 1993 through exhibits, gallery representations and commissions. I’ve been a full time artist since 2011, after a career in institutional development. Since the exhibit Tradition in the Regional Arts Commission in 2012 curated by Buzz Spector, he, as a mentor, has encouraged me to develop the interior of my vessels which has resulted in several creative interiors to enhance the complex narratives of my vessels. Buzz Spector has also led me to the path of developing sculptures on a larger scale. I have created installations and sculptures that depict the lives and work of famous writers such as Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, John Steinbeck, and William Faulkner to famous artists such as Rene Magritte, Man Ray, Frida Kahlo, Picasso ( and muses), Reginald Marsh (scenes from New York City), Matisse, and current work, Leonard Bernstein with scenes from West Side Story.” For more of her works visit her web site.
Teri’s statement reads: ” I’m a maker. I use any material that suits the work I’m creating at the time. I attempt to capture moments in life visually, tacitly, emotionally, and intellectually. I want to feel my images as much as recognize their subject matter. And I want my work to elicit a feeling of familiarity in the people who see them, as if they’re reminded of an old friend, …..a painful moment.” I couldn’t find an online site for Teri.
Heather’s statement reads: “Nature’s ability to manipulate its way through fabricated obstacles, to adapt to environmental changes, to transform into new species and to combine and become one with its surroundings, is inspiring. The ways in which humans manipulate objects and each other to survive is fascinating to me. I am motivated to create works that honor the perseverance of life. My most recent works have been focused on the perseverance of human life. Adapting, converging and transforming continually throughout our life cycle. The many personality traits and characteristics that we pick up along the way are what I attempt to highlight in my work. Focusing on one specific aspect at a time.” For more of her works visit her web site.
Laura’s statement reads: “My work is about exploring and capturing humans in various forms and conditions. I have an active curiosity that leads me into a lot of experimentation and I really try to follow my gut intuition. The question I ask myself most often is, what if?… Being well versed in painting and ceramics lets me use both media as tools to better express myself. I hope people enjoy the work as much as I have fun making it.” For more of her work visit her web site.