The Artisans Center of Virginia 2008 Exhibition Schedule
presents the national competition
TRANSFORMING THE ELEMENTS:
Earth, Water, Fire & Air
May 15 - June 25, 2008
The concepts of earth, water, fire and air have both philosophical and intellectual applications. As elements they are symbols which refer to certain properties that add to our experience because they remind us how we feel in the presence of nature.
The very essence of our relationship to the elements is in harmony with the creative process for it has a direct correlation to design, materials, color choices and most importantly is linked to state of mind of the artist as creator.
Earth is represented by the square, the color green, strength, abundance, stability.
The element of Water embodies the circle, the color blue, emotions, wisdom, and the soul. Fire corresponds to the triangle, the color red, energy, inspiration and passion. Air is signified by a semi circle, the color yellow, intellect, consciousness, and communication. The exhibition, Transforming the Elements: Earth, Water, Fire & Air,
seeks to feature artists who creatively articulate their connection to the elements.
Juror Statement
Juror: Mark Newport, MFA - Head of Fibers, Cranbrook Academy of Art
Reviewing and choosing the work for Transforming the Elements was extremely exciting and challenging. The submissions embodied a broad range of symbolic, material, two dimensional, three-dimensional, and functional interpretations of the theme for the show. Many of the pieces use materials on their own and in combination with image and form, because those materials have or suggest a relationship to one or more of the elements. For example: clay is of the earth; clay and metal use fire in the construction of the piece; blue suggests water and air; and so on. I was particularly interested in works that use these traditional expectations in combination with unexpected associations to the theme. And I was most drawn to works that challenged all of my expectations to form, material usage, and symbolic use because that surprise provides a conflict in the work that causes me to rethink my own expectations. Examples of this is the use of latch hooked rug floral fragments in a mixed media garden, bulldozers made of porcelain, and metal mimicking air movements. Finally, the works that demonstrated an accomplishment of formal design, material choice, and craftsmanship in an unexpected manner, that also show the idiosyncratic vision of the maker were the pieces that I sought most of all.
Many thanks to all of the artists who submitted their work for review; it was an honor to see what you are working on. Thanks also to the Artisans Center of Virginia for this opportunity.
About the Juror:
Mark Newport is the Artist-in-Residence and Head of Fibers at the Cranbrook Academy of Art. Born in Amsterdam, New York in 1964, he earned his BFA at the Kansas City Art Institute in 1986 and his MFA at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1991. Prior to his appointment at Cranbrook, Newport taught for six years at Arizona State University, Tempe earning the position of Associate Professor. He also taught at Western Washington University, Bellingham for five years before that. He held visiting artist positions at the Kansas City Art Institute, Cleveland Institute of Art, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and has lectured throughout the country.
Newport’s work has been exhibited throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe, including solo exhibitions at here gallery, Bristol, United Kingdom; The Arizona State University Art Museum; The Chicago Cultural Center; The Charleston Heights Art Center, Las Vegas; and The Anderson Gallery at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia. His work has been recognized with grants from the Creative Capital Foundation, the Arizona Commission on the Arts, and the Herberger College of Arts at Arizona State University. The Greg Kucera Gallery of Seattle, LyonsWier Ortt Gallery of New York, and the Bentley Gallery of Phoenix all represent his work.
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