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December Issue
2008
Artspace in
Raleigh, NC, Features Works by Catherine Thornton, Keith Norval
and Cameron Johnson
Artspace in Raleigh, NC, will present several new exhibits including: Cubby Hole, featuring works by Catherine Thornton, on view from Dec. 5 - 27, 2008, in the Lobby Gallery; The Corporate Art Show, featuring works by Keith Norval, on view in the Upfront Gallery from Dec. 5 - 27, 2008; and Restructured, featuring works by Cameron Johnson will be on view from Dec. 5 through Jan. 23, 2009, in Gallery Two.
Catherine Thornton
It is thought that the term "cubby hole" comes from the Flemish "cubbe" meaning pen or hutch. This word has evolved into at least two opposing ideas. In one sense it offers protection and warmth and in another, more recent sense it can mean an unwelcome restrictive environment or label. For her exhibit Catherine Thornton will explore the positive and negative connotations of, "cubby hole," through clay, metal, and paint.
Thornton earned a BFA in Painting and Sculpture from Longwood College (currently Longwood University), Farmville, VA, in her mid 30's, but was not able to consistently pursue her art career for another fifteen years. In those fifteen years, ideas, concepts, and techniques were explored, diligently filed away on several sketch pads, envelopes, dinner napkins, and assigned to the future. Her professional launch came about through a summer course at Penland School of Crafts, and consequently being accepted into what Thornton notes to be a "nurturing and progressive artist community"- Artspace. Tenaciously inquisitive with an appetite for discovery, Thornton states, "I regret the day when I wake up to find no new thing, no reason to grow." Her work reflects that attitude.
Thornton has been the recipient of numerous awards and her work has been included in numerous solo and group exhibitions, including in Best of the Triangle, Lee Hansley Gallery, Raleigh, NC; Teapots Object to Subject and Curioser and Curioser, traveling exhibitions of the Craft Alliance Exhibitions, St. Louis, MO; and Invitational Teapot Show, Cedar Creek Gallery, Creedmoor, NC. Thornton's work has also been published in Lark Publication's 500 Cups.
Keith Norval
This new series of oil
paintings in the exhibit, The Corporate Art Show, by Keith
Norval explores the theme of business through animals. With the
current state of things (environmental destruction, factory farming,
extinctions) it seems animals would be better off if they had
some kind of representation. Piggy lawyers, corporate crocs, rhinos
in suits, business monkeys, motivational chickens, and mad cows
- this show aims to give them their own voices.
Norval received his BFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design
in 2000 and subsequently relocated to Raleigh. He is a professional
painter, working in his Artspace studio and teaches printmaking
and painting at the Pullen Arts Center. He recently completed
a mural in the Children's Hospital in the Albany Medical Center
in Albany, NY, and has shown work in Miami, FL, and Vail, CO.
Norval's work has been exhibited throughout the Southeast and
is collected internationally.
Cameron Johnson
As an artist, Cameron
Johnson constantly evaluates what holds the most meaning for him.
Whether it is family, money, religion, or friends, he attempts
to prioritize the people and objects according to the value he
believes they have. The collection of Johnson's work in Restructured
aims to examine the way we establish value within art and our
own lives. Most of his paintings have specific areas of emphasis
that are highly detailed, contrasted by areas that are subdued
or distorted. From the lines and shapes formed, Johnson creates
continuity within the painting. He believes that artists can not
only fascinate people with their use of color and line, but also
inspire and motivate people to think and see life differently.
Art, like literature, can have great influence. Johnson's goal
is to reinforce a need for connection through positive relationships.
Born and raised in Charlotte, NC, Johnson earned a Bachelor of
Fine Arts and a Masters of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing from
East Carolina University, Greenville, NC. Johnson's work has been
exhibited throughout North Carolina. He recently completed a mural
with two other artists for Princeville's Heritage Park, Princeville,
NC. Johnson is an Assistant Professor at Meredith College
in Raleigh.
Artspace, a thriving visual art center located in downtown Raleigh,
brings the creative process to life through inspiring and engaging
education and community outreach programming, a dynamic environment
of over 30 professional artists studios, and nationally acclaimed
exhibitions. Approximately 95 artists hold professional memberships
in the Artspace Artists Association. Thirty-five of these artists
have studios located at Artspace.
Artspace is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, the
United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County, the Raleigh Arts
Commission, individuals, corporations, and private foundations.
For further information check our NC Institutional Gallery
listings, call the center at 919/821-2787 or visit (www.artspacenc.org).
Carolina Arts is published monthly by Shoestring Publishing Company, a subsidiary of PSMG, Inc. Copyright© 2008 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© 2008 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.