September Issue 2000
New Exhibits at Blue Spiral 1 in Asheville, NC
Through Sept. 30, Blue Spiral 1 in downtown Asheville, NC will feature an exhibition of mixed media/glass sculpture by artists Loretta Eby & Jeff Jackson. The couple unites curvaceous blown and sandblasted glass vessels, flat glass wands, metal armatures and marble bases into fanciful sculpture. This presentation will take place in Blue Spiral's Showcase Gallery on the upper level. Also beginning Friday, Sept. 15, Blue Spiral will exhibit new works by eight southeastern artists which will continue through Nov. 11. The artists include Daniel Nevins, Debra Fritts, John L. Cleaveland, Jr., Kim Ellington, Lucien Koonce, Paul Sumner and Winton & Rosa Eugene.
Loretta Eby & Jeff Jackson first collaborated on works of metal and glass over a decade ago. Eby, a well known glass artist, creates open vessel forms juxtaposed with Jackson's metalwork. Whether polished steel or rusted iron, the metal is the framework for Eby's glass. The vessels customarily serve as vases, housing "artsticks", long slender pieces of glass and an occasional piece of curled steel. These contemporary "bouquets" contain various patterns and textures.
The pair has also recently created a modem version of the witch bottle. Made in the Middle Ages and hung over doors, such vessels were believed to trap "evil spirits" and protect a household. Eby & Jackson's sculptural interpretations of this form, assume the shape of fish, and are suspended within a metal framework.
Daniel Nevins paints visual fables with epic qualities. Deeply stylized figurative subjects dominate his compositions. Presented along with Nevins' paintings are equally narrative, contemporary ceramic and mixed media sculptures by Debra Fritts. Abundant with allegorical content, Fritts' textural beings bid the viewer to become acquainted.
John L Cleaveland, Jr. portrays the Southern landscape with a commitment to authenticity. Cleaveland's distinct and mature style yields an honest and engaging articulation of the region. The artist frequently paints fields and forests that depict Civil War historic sites as they look today. Kim Ellington delivers a fresh and sophisticated perspective to historic ceramic designs with his pure forms. A true traditionalist, Ellington digs his own stoneware clay and uses techniques and styles indigenous to this region. His works are complemented by serene alkaline and salt glazing and the arbitrary smoke branding of a wood fired kiln.
In the Main Floor Display Case, witty characterizations of friendly turtles and frogs by another NC ceramic artist, Lucien Koonce, will be presented. A hand builder, Koonce also reveres the state's pottery heritage and explains his interest in the turtle form by noting the shell is, "like a canvas ...a plane to texture at will then later envelope with color."
Paul Sumner: Charismatic Megafauna is featured in Gallery 3 (Small Format Room). Sumner's fanciful mixed media creatures (fish, dogs, snakes, and insects) dance on the wall with bold pattern and vivacious color. Winton & Rosa Eugene use the tradition of ceremonial mask making as a means of personal expression. Their stoneware masks explore such issues as vanity and identity through imagery reminiscent of warriors, dragons and sea creatures.
For further information check our NC Commercial
Gallery listings or call the gallery at 828/251-0202 or visit
the gallery's website at (www.bluespirall.com).
Mailing Address: Carolina Arts, P.O. Drawer
427, Bonneau, SC 29431
Telephone, Answering Machine and FAX: 843/825-3408
E-Mail: carolinart@aol.com
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Carolina Arts
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