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October Issue
2010
Mesh Gallery
in Morganton, NC, Offers Group Exhibition
Courtney Long (detail)
Beth Bailey
Mesh Gallery in Morganton,
NC, is presenting, Foundations and Explorations, an exhibition
of contemporary works in clay and fiber, on view through Oct.
16, 2010.
This exhibit showcases works that portray the freedom today's
craftspeople enjoy; either rejecting or building upon traditional
techniques for personal expression. Expressive textiles and pottery
together form a cohesive grouping reflective of the area's crafts
heritage.
In a region known for its large furniture and textile manufacturers,
these industries have overshadowed studio craft as a legitimate
way of living and working. Studio craft artisans explore traditional
materials and techniques while striving for originality and the
creation of new processes. Admittedly, good design and evolution
of technique does come from the factory system. In the face of
manufacturers' massive workforce, cheaper goods and mass markets,
the very survival of handicraft items shows its cultural importance
and desire for one-of- a-kind objects indicative of a region or
individual artisan.
Historically, textile skills were needed to produce protective
items such as quilts or those that contain such as satchels. Sewing
circles provided social outlets and sharing of learned skills.
These skills provided security through the sale of goods, allowing
women and also men to supplement family incomes or support their
families entirely. Fiber works can either be directly or indirectly
autobiographical through choice or availability of fabrics.
Thirteen fiber artists including Beth Bailey, Nancy Bailey, Jane
Bradley, Norma Bradley, Linda Costner, Sally Dixon, Sondra Dorn,
Vyvyan Emery, Susan Fretz, Patricia Lackey, Joanne Seng, Kristen
Steiner and Jackie Williams create clothing, weaving, purses and
art quilts. Through original patterns, expressive landscapes and
narrative works, these artisans break out of traditional symmetrical
grids making works more expressive and contemporary.
"I am relatively new to the art of landscape quilting, and
fascinated with the process of composing with cloth," said
co-curator Beth Bailey. Inspired by the surrounding foothills
and mountain region, Bailey interprets the region's natural resources
in colorful patches of hand dyed and batik fabric. Variations
in fabric textures and patterns help Bailey further re-create
mountain and forest scenes while providing the viewer another
layer to explore.
Investigations of other tactile materials may be viewed in pottery
works of Western Piedmont Community College Pottery Faculty. Courtney
Long, Shane Mickey and Andrew Stephenson seek to elevate routine
daily tasks through thoughtfully designed, utilitarian wares.
Some of the pottery types capture the essence of North Carolina
folk pottery traditions through wood and salt firing methods but
others demonstrate modern interpretations of form and cross-cultural
influences. "Pottery for me is a subtle way to enhance people's
lives by giving them an interesting object to contemplate either
while using or just relaxing and observing," said Mickey,
"This becomes a process of discovery, noticing new details
about the pieces each time it is used or examined."
Foundations and Explorations is a survey of contemporary
fiber and clay artists mainly living in the Burke and surrounding
counties. In its short existence, MESH has become Morganton's
premier contemporary art gallery that displays all forms of art
including studio craft. The gallery has provided a needed platform
for local and regional artists to display their works while attracting
cultural tourists and locals looking for something new to explore
in their home town. "We have an abundance of talented artists in Morganton,"
remarked Bailey, "Having Mesh Gallery to showcase art
and gather the community through artists' receptions helps strengthen
the vitality of our downtown."
For further information check our NC Commercial Gallery listings,
call 828/437-1957 or visit (www.meshgallery.com).
Carolina Arts is published monthly by Shoestring Publishing Company, a subsidiary of PSMG, Inc. Copyright© 2010 by PSMG, Inc., which published Charleston Arts from July 1987 - Dec. 1994 and South Carolina Arts from Jan. 1995 - Dec. 1996. It also publishes Carolina Arts Online, Copyright© 2010 by PSMG, Inc. All rights reserved by PSMG, Inc. or by the authors of articles. Reproduction or use without written permission is strictly prohibited. Carolina Arts is available throughout North & South Carolina.