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August Issue 2006
modern eye gallery in Charlotte, NC, Offers Works by Joel Hunnicutt
modern
eye gallery in Charlotte, NC, proudly introduces North Carolina
artist, Joel Hunnicutt, to its stable of artists in his debut
show, The Art of Wood. The show is comprised of original
wood/lacquer vessels and forms and will run through Aug. 31, 2006.
A native North Carolinian and current resident of Siler City, NC, Hunnicutt discovered his talent while taking a furniture-making course at a local community college. He states, "When I turned that first piece of wood, it felt like second nature. I intuitively knew what I needed to do to make that shape. I immediately bought an ancient lathe and started experimenting". So began the artistic career of this artist whose technique is called "segmented turning".
Hunnicutt cuts and glues
small chunks of wood- anywhere from 100 to 300 per piece- and
uses a wood lathe to turn and shape them into the desired finished
forms. According to Hunnicutt, "this technique affords him
greater flexibility in creating shapes impossible to form from
a single block of wood."
Hunnicutt's perspective comes from artists past and present. "I
look a lot at really old stuff - Greek and Egyptian forms, classical
shapes I can re-create in wood," the artist states. He continually
bounces new ideas off fellow artists who are potters and glassblowers.
Hunnicutt appreciates their honest appraisal of his work and draws
on their view even if from different media. He is constantly exploring
size and scale of his work as well; however, he admits that 'the
bigger pieces are more technically demanding."
Brilliant jewel-tone color has become the hallmark of Hunnicutt's
work. He further states, "People respond to the color of
a piece as much as they respond to the shape." His technique
for color application is unique: he adds the color dye directly
into the clear lacquer, which allows the color to sit on top of
the wood instead of being absorbed into the grain. His colors
are bold; his finishes, high gloss.
In The Art of Wood,
small and medium format vessels and forms are showcased. Hunnicutt
brings wood to life through color and form. Although relatively
young in his craft, he captures the viewer's heart through the
beauty of each individual form, imbued with a hint of antiquity.
modern eye gallery is thrilled to have Hunnicutt join our stable
of artists and looks forward to sharing this amazing body of work
with Charlotte.
For further information check our NC Commercial Gallery listings or call the gallery at 704/333-3190.
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