January Issue 2002
Art Gallery Unlimited in Charlotte, NC, Features the Work of Joe Rock
by Stephen Thompson
Joe Rock, best known for his witty clay sculpture demonstrations, will be exhibiting a long awaited series of fine art. His interpretations of the female form in clay will be unveiled at Art Gallery Unlimited in North Davidson street art district (NoDa) in Charlotte, NC, from Jan. 4 - 31, 2002.
Artist, teacher, philosopher, writer, ex-professional boxer, Joe Rock reveals yet another glimpse of fine art expression. Painted Ladies manifests his affection of two mediums and exposes the culmination of his knowledge, love for the arts and unique insight gained through life experiences.
Rock devised his own clay sculpting techniques to create symbolic representations of the female torso. In his personal and professional life, he has a great desire to simplify structure and eliminate details that attempt to confuse and bewilder. Each sculpture is driven by pure form and color using the most beautiful form in nature as a familiar point of reference. Raw clay body is formed into a structured likeness. Shapes become abstracted to emphasize his ideas. During the final stages of drying, the green ware is painstakingly polished or textured. Bisque fired clay becomes a natural canvas. Paints, stains and other mediums on white earthenware bisque allow for a montage of methods to inspire emotion, meaning or memory.
Rock earned his BS in Painting and Art Education at East Carolina University. He has taught over 10,000 students through the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System as well as in private classes held at his studio. For years, he has exhibited at invitational and juried art shows, winning uncountable numbers of prizes and purchase awards. As owner of Whiterock Studio, Inc., Joe Rock has sold work to over 4,000 galleries and retail stores in the USA. Rock has many commissioned pieces in private and corporate collections. During the operation of Whiterock Studio, he has supervised the production of over 500,000 tons of clay and employed more than 300 artists.
Rock is a 26 year resident of Matthews, NC. He can be often found in his home studio working on new projects, teaching class or preaching on differences of discipline and creative thought. Debates of color, texture, and style erupt between Rock and class and can be clearly heard outside of the studio. The philosophies of Rock's life are governed by the essential principles of art.
"What I'm trying to say is that the female form is truly the most beautiful, exciting scape in all of nature. It cannot be improved upon - the beginning and end of all art. Every artist, caveman to avant-garde, has been consumed with challenge of capturing or interpreting the beauty of the female form - from the Venus of Willendorf to Mona Lisa. (Beauty) Like the wheel, simple but genius," said Rock.
For further information check our NC Commercial Gallery listings, call the gallery at 704/618-6568, or on the web at (http://www.artgalleryunlimited.com).
Mailing Address: Carolina Arts, P.O. Drawer
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