|
View these photos on flickr.com...
A group show of Heather Gentry, Nikki Caulk, David Lindsay, and Sara McLean, November 1-December 7, 2006.
Heather Gentry
Heather lives in Greer, SC and works
out of a studio at Solteria in Greenville. She works in 2d and 3d in many
mediums and styles. Her pieces ranges in size from small to large scale. She
attends Converse College.
"Organic
forms constructed within the perimeter of the clayís restraints, defines what I
hoped to achieve with the sculptural series Flora and Fauna. Experimenting with
the indigenous peopleís soft slab building method I was intrigued with the
curves the clay could make, that was almost impossible to form in any other
technique. After my first sculpture I started designing other sculptures. After
I had a substantial sketch I worked in the round, yet I had only had drawn the
frontal 2-d design. Consideration had to be given to the way the whole form
worked together as I built.
Ancient
stories tell us of the great potter who formed life with clay. The line found
in animal and plants are the most beautiful in the world. I imagined if life
had formed another way, a way other than we know. These sculptures are forms
made for their elegance in shape and line. I pit fired the pieces with hard
wood, thus creating the rich blacks and the halo effect. The tops of the
sculptures are floral in nature and the bodies are more animal. The pieces are
just the beginning, entities and a style that will have a life of their
own."
"All
great truths begin as blasphemies.." - George Bernard Shaw
Nikki Caulk
Nikki paints both figures and landscapes in pastel and oil.
She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Converse College in 2000 and
resides in Spartanburg. In addition to painting she directs an after-school art
program for at-risk youth and teaches yoga.
"My
paintings and drawings are a celebration of the innate creative power and its
ascent towards the divine through devotion, yoga, and dance. This work
addresses the sacred oneness of existence through a fusion of figures with
elements of the landscape. When I work there is no separation between the
creator, the artist, the subject and the art object. It is my intention that
this work will inspire you the viewer to glimpse deeper into your true nature.
My
art making process is a component of my spiritual practice. Before I enter the
studio, I practice yoga and meditation to join heart, mind and hand and I pray
that I may surrender to the flow of divine creativity. Sometimes I work from
live models, meditating on the energy of the subject more so than the physical
body. My mark making echoes the swirling spirals of the energy body and my
color choices are symbolic of the elemental aspect of the various energy
centers and the goddesses portrayed. In painting and drawing the
representations of the goddess, I reference an image I create by superimposing
photographs of figures with photographs of the landscape or spacescape. The
pixels in the photo reference help me see deeper into the patterns of my
subject, adding a vibrating element to the language of strokes and patterns. I
continue to explore a variety of styles and media because like everything else
in the Universe, I am in a state of constant change.
This
body of work is simultaneously the synthesis of my study of the figure, the
landscape, of my art and spirituality. The study and practice of yoga and
eastern philosophy has taught me to see deeper and to open up to and trust the
universal flow of divine creativity. I have been blessed with many great
teachers, guides, and students and I offer them all the deepest gratitude for
sharing their wisdom and compassion with me. I honor the light and truth in all
of you. Namaste."
David Lindsay
David was born and raised in
California and, after living in Italy, earned his MFA at Indiana University in
Pennsylvania. David has shown in many galleries in the U.S. and is now a
professor at TTU in Lubbock, Texas.
"My
work comes out of a confluence- a fluid intersection between my upbringing in
the San Francisco Bay Area, and a seminal period spent in Italy, being exposed
to artís decorum. The work stems from the traditions of figurative painting,
minimalist forms, church spaces, and a severe interest in how space can be used
as a metaphor for broad community and individual psychology.
The
works chosen for this exhibit are all about depiction, projection,
interrelationship and filling up the empty space around and within
ourselves"
Sara McLean
Sara was born in Washington DC and
moved to Spartanburg in 1993. Interested in art from a very young age she
continued on to Converse College receiving her BA in Studio Art. She has since
studied at the Ghost Ranch and now has a jewelry business in Spartanburg.
"While
attending Converse College, my choice to major in studio art was an easy one. I
have always loved making art. I stumbled upon a silversmithing class, and
another one, and another one. The most recent,in January 2006, was in New
Mexico during a month-long stay at the Ghost Ranch, made famous by Geogia
OíKeeffe, who lived on the property. There, I learned to inlay with guidance
from a master inlayer. Inlay took my jewelry to the next level and has been a
very valuable skill that I love to explore.
I
make jewelry because I enjoy creating wearable art.
In
many cases, a particular stone is the inspiration for a piece. I then create a
showcase for the stone by hand in silver. In inlay, I start a little
differently. The silver usually comes first. Then I choose my stones, cut and
grind each one, set them in the silver, and polish the stones together to have
a smooth, uniform surface. It is a much longer process, but is very rewarding
once finished.
Because
of where I learded to inlay, I am influenced by the Southwest in some of my
stone choices and some of my designs, but as a whole, my work is characterized
by simpler, geometric designs. Clean lines and simple designs, if well
executed, can make for a stunning piece. This is what I strive for."
|
