Fall/Winter Season 2009

October 11, 2009 - April 18, 2010

Albert Paley Dialogue with Steel When looking at Albert Paley's current work, one might find it hard to believe that he began his artistic career as a jeweler.  Paley was one of the major goldsmiths of the studio movement in America.  Today, he is best known for his monumental sculpture.  Yet looking closely at these elaborate, impressive, and often site-specific installations, one sees the continuum of Paley's creativity; challenging metal of all types is his foundation.  The scale of his work has evolved, but the attention to every component, every detail, remains steadfast.  The fluidity of molten metal is evident in the ribbons and decorative patterns so prevalent and identifiable in his designs; the pieces come alive under his masterful hand.  Yet the hardness of steel is also apparent in the starkness of many of his larger abstract works, softened simply by the prominence of bright color and its ability to evoke strong emotions. "The majority of the sculptures in this exhibition are newly completed works that reflect my present concerns and approaches.  Plastic manipulation of the steel, either through the forging process or heat bending, constitutes an organic context in form development.  This, by its nature, reflects complexity dealing with aspects of alterability and change.  Usuall coupled with this is the integration of rational, geometric form.  When these two aspects are incorporated into the sculpture, they represent the spectrum of opposites, yet at the same time unification is accomplished within the composition of the sculpture.  This makes visible the nature of paradox."  - Albert Paley

Moment, 2009 Cor-Ten steel 173" x 82.5" x 58.5" Photo Courtesy of the Artist Albert Paley News

Jacobo de la Serna Reflections on Tradition De la Serna is recognized internationally for his expertise in New Mexican Spanish Colonial iconography and Spanish and Native American pottery techniques.  His micaceous pots are exquisite dichotomies.  While some expand the boundaries of this delicate clay in execution and concept, they remain fragile and delicate.  His masterful technical ability enhances traditional style and contemporary innovative designs.  The work is sensitive and sensual, refined and magical and it reveals the insightful artistry of the man himself.  "I start from the beginning and use simple techniques, then embellish as needed.  My own pottery has exceeded the norm in size, variation, texture, color and the reduction in firings.  I built upon a family of tradition and brought it into a modern context that suited me.  But on a personal level, it is so much more than that.  The creative process for me is a wonderful thing.  The shaping and scraping and burnishing again and again is a meditative process.  You can't be in a hurry, you can't push it.  When something unexpected occurs, I believe the clay is talking to me.  I listen.  The clay is alive.  It has its own ideas, its own mind.  I have tried to dictate to it but i have learned better.  I view my role with the clay as a partcipant more than someone who controls it."  - Jacobo de la Serna

Open Bowl, 2009 hand coiled micaceous clay, wood fired 14" x 14" Photo Courtesy of the Artist

Winter Season 2010

January 24 - April 18, 2010

Flo Perkins Perkins is well known for her representations of every day objects in glass.  That the subject is commonplace does not in any way detract from the exquisite workmanship and creativity that is exemplified in each piece.  Whether the subject be cacti, bowling pins, traffic cones, flowers or other mundane objects, each is made up of beautifully hand-blown elements.  She elevates the medium of glass-blowing to a new dimension, creating scultpures that challenge her talents. Her originality, sensibility, and imagination have led her to become a well respected artist and innovator in the field of hot glass. "My priority has always been the pursuit of artistic integrity, using real materials in real time to create memorable sculpture.  The bowling pins and cones are about making something beautiful and mysterious out of unlikely objects.  I wanted to be outside of my comfort zone with teh urban project, and by being there, surprisingly, humor emerged." - Flo Perkins

Three Graces, 2004 blown glass and steel 22 1/2" x 15" x 13" Photo Courtesy of the Artist

Focus on Sculpture 2010 Focus on Sculpture is a juried exhibition of amateur photography.  This exhibition supports the mission of Grounds For Sculpture, which is to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of contemporary sculpture through exhibitions, events, and educational programming.  Focus on Sculpture promotes sculpture in a unique way - sculpture through photography.  Entries are not limited to a narrow definition of sculpture, and photographers are encouraged to point their cameras towards the sculptural elements they see in their everyday lives. Each year a different professional in the field of photography is invited to choose works from among those submitted for exhibition.  This year, the selections were made by artist Andrea Baldeck.  Her images are found in museums and private collections and she has exhibited widely in both the U.S. and abroad.  She has compiled many books featuring works made during her extensive travels to faraway places such as the Himalayas and Haiti. Participation in Focus on Sculpture 2010 was limited to amateur photographers 18 years of age or older.  Thirty-five photographers were selected from 202 entries.  Selected works are on display in the Education Gallery of the Visitor's Center.