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September Issue 2004
Clemson University in Clemson, SC, Presents Figure Exhibition
An art exhibition that explores some of the core issues of contemporary culture utilizing the human figure as the subject, is on view at the Lee Gallery at Clemson University in Clemson, SC. The exhibition entitled, fig.8, will be on view through Sept. 10, 2004.
The exhibition is comprised of photographs, drawings, paintings and mixed media by 10 selected artists from across the country. "Works in the exhibition were brought together to begin visual and conceptual dialogues among the various issues explored within the individual works," says Fleming Markel, who co-curated the exhibition with Lee Gallery director, Denise Woodward-Detrich. "The conversations touch on isolation versus family, identity versus anonymity, intimacy versus reticence."
"The title fig.8 is a metaphor
of the way illustrations and text work to explain ideas. For example,
illustrations in a dictionary or encyclopedia enhance the written
definitions or explanations, so that the reader gains a deeper
understanding of the concepts being presented. The figure '8'
also a metaphor of a cycle without any starting point or end,
much like the personal and familial relationship issues explored
in the work," explains Woodward-Detrich. "Much of the
art in the exhibition is based on family snapshots, portraits
or something personal. All were inspired by everyday life and
all the work is at least one generation removed from the reality
they represent, " says Woodward Detrich.
fig.8 includes an installation by Jane Nodine and another
by Shelia Turner, paintings by Scotty Peek, Ann Marie Manker Downs,
John Monteith, Barbara Schreiber, Kim Anderson, and drawings by
Amy Fichter and photographs from Ron Jude and Laura Noel.
"fig.8 is comprised of distinctively different artists who do not necessarily consider themselves figurative artists" Woodward-Detrich continues. "The artists of fig.8 utilize the figure to explore the relationships within family or among neighbors or even among strangers. The conversations address individual and collective concerns such as alienation, confinement and control."
"This viewer-friendly exhibition can be
experienced on many different levels. It is visually exciting
as well as provocative. We hope fig.8 challenges viewers
to "figure it out," says Markel.
Jane Nodine's Vestige, is an installation of sixteen digitally-transferred
images of family snapshots and household objects on linen handkerchiefs
pinned above four irons on a wooden shelf. The work is narrative
and autobiographical. Scotty Peek's paintings are based on family
snapshots that revisit the significant events and individuals
they capture. John Monteith's paintings are re-recordings of digital
snapshots traded by the "chatters" of internet families
and question whether individual relationships are private or public.
Not typical to the genre of pastel works, Amy
Fichter's huge drawings of figures are anything but sweet portraits
of pink-cheeked children. The impressive figures in Fichter's
art radiate an enormous amount of energy from the inside and suggest
that the figures may have drawn themselves out to the very edges
of the paper. Fichters work, along with the work of Monteith and
Peeks are on loan to the Lee Gallery from City Art Gallery in
Columbia, SC.
Shelia Turner's installation, Out My Door and Around
the Corner, consists of snapshots of her neighbors at various
hours during a given day. Turner's installation offers a unique
view from and of her urban home. Ron Jude's large photographs
from his Executive Model series records the singular power of
American monarchs and questions the idea of the model and beauty,
as well as individuality and conformity in the market place. Ann
Marie Manker Downs' quiet, playful paintings of people and their
pets speak of the irony of control versus caretaking, of companionship
versus confinement.
Barbara Schreiber's colorful and intimate paintings appear to
be simple, possibly naive illustrations of joyous events. These
small-scale works pack a powerful message about the complexity
of the individual. Schreiber's work in on loan to the Lee Gallery
from the Sandler Husdon Gallery, Atlanta, GA. In contrast to Schreiber's
art is the art of Kim Anderson. Anderson's paintings are slightly
larger and "re-record" snapshot events in a way that
is dream-like and warm. Her work is on loan to the Lee Gallery
from the Fay gold Gallery, Atlanta, GA.
Laura Noel photographs bits of the figure as seen in reflections
and commercial signs. Her photographs speak of an urban alienation
in a humorous almost playful way.
The Lee Gallery will also present the exhibit,
Philadelphia Ceramics Comes To Upstate, featuring the three-dimensional
sculpture from The Clay Studio, a prestigious ceramic studio in
Philadelphia, on view from Sept. 24, through Oct. 24, 2004. The
Upstate exhibition will showcase the work of the studio's current
residents artists.
The Clay Studio was founded in 1974 as an artist's collective
to provide affordable studio space and shared equipment for up
and coming ceramists. Today, a residency at The Clay Studio is
one of the most competitive clay residency programs in the United
States, explains Lee Gallery director Denise Woodward Detrich.
"It's considered a top-honor to be accepted into The Clay
Studio," she says. "Hundreds of artists compete each
year for the opportunity to work at the studio. The Clay Studio
has the reputation of being an incubator of outstanding ceramic
artistry. In addition to its renowned residency program, The Clay
Studio supports ceramic arts through its gallery, studio space,
school, lecture series, outreach programs, and permanent collection.
What's more, to enhance the Upstate exhibition, the Greenville
County Museum of Art will host a lecture on Thursday, Sept. 30,
and demonstration by two of residents on Oct. 1, 2004.
For further information check our SC Institutional Gallery listings, call the gallery at 864/656-3883, e-mail at (woodwaw@clemson.edu) or at (www.clemson.edu/caah/leegallery/).
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