FINDING REFUGE, FINDING HOME "Sheynkayt", 2.0 (Beautifulness, version 2), "Vos vet blaybn" (What will remain) I plan on a show of new work in sculpture in 2012-13. The work will consist of ten figurative groupings, separate figures united by their bases, and resting on individual pedestals. An equal number of complementary wall hanging reliefs will accompany them. The images and texts we surround ourselves with do matter. The vitality and vigor of the terra cotta figures connect downwards, towards the earth. The chunky figures therefore appear attached, stable, and "grounded." My sense of composition encompasses 19th century canons of beauty based on curve and reverse curve. At the same time, these economical figures have a 20th century sense of abstraction and a sense of movement of their own. I have learned to carve "top down", to cut "stops" and "pop off" the scrap. I solve the location of the soles of the feet early on and carve the figure to match. When carving, if you change one thing, five or more other forms are affected. My current work is tremendously benign. The theme is support, and not protection. The figures hold each other with strength and with lightness. Time appears not to end as the moment(s) depicted continues. Their "presence", as statues, is meant to represent eternity or timelessness. The poetic titles, in Yiddish, are meant to open them up to a variety of interpretations. Two and three generations away from Yiddish speakers, my own identity is informed and defined by a collective memory of this language and its culture. What does it mean to understand art through a title from another language? There are things you can say in Yiddish which cannot be expressed in English. By joining language to art I am making connections which enrich understanding an ancient culture while living fully now, in the 21st century. ART PORT TOWNSEND/EXPRESSIONS NORTHWEST Annual Juried Art Exhibition, juried by Gary Faigin Northwind Arts Center 2409 Jefferson Street Port Townsend, WA 98368 Opening Reception Friday, August 5, 7-9 PM at Northwinds Exhibit open 12-5 pm, Saturday, Aug 6-Sunday, Aug 28 Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays "ART ON THE AVENUES" April 2011-April 2012 Annual Juried Art Exhibition Wenatchee, Washington Opening Reception, June 2011 "PICTURE THE MUSICIAN: Portraits of Musicians by NW Artists Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center 127 S. Mission Street, Wenatchee, Washington October 1-December 24, 2010 "ART ON THE AVENUES" April 2010-April 2011 Annual Juried Art Exhibition Wenatchee, Washington Opening Reception, June 2010 Kirkland City Hall Monday – Friday, 8 am to 5 pm 123 5th Ave Kirkland, WA 98033 Parking lot in front of entrance. **** Studio Holiday Sale November 14-15, 2009 Saturday-Sunday, 2-4 pm contact artist for further info Email: joan [dot] rudd [at] comcast [dot] net |