April 2014

Cabarrus Arts Council in Concord, NC, Offers Exhibit Exploring Orientalism

The Cabarrus Arts Council in Concord, NC, is presenting Orient Express, a new group exhibition exploring Orientalism’s impact on contemporary art and craft, on view at The Galleries, through May 22, 2014. A reception will be held on Apr. 4, from 6-9pm. There is no admission charge for any gallery activities, which include an “I Spy” artwork scavenger hunt for children.

“The show explores how Eastern history, developments and culture have impacted viewpoints through artwork in Western culture,” said Rebecca Collins, Cabarrus Arts Council Visual Arts Director and curator of the exhibition. “We see the translation of 19th century Orientalism into modern times.”

Orient Express includes artwork by 16 contemporary Southeastern artists: Margaret Agner, Jim Connell, Kim Dills, Ingrid Erickson, C. Shana Greger, Michael Hamlin-Smith, Marcia Jestaedt, Matt Kelleher, Po-Wen Liu, Betty Helen Longhi, Kathleen Master, Gillian Parke, Lee Sipe, Timothy Sullivan, Karen James Swing and Yuko Nogami Taylor.

The exhibition includes artists working in a variety of media:

Margaret Agner of Bogart, GA, paints intricate scenes with dyes on natural silk. Wall hangings, scarves and other wearables are her specialty.

Jim Connell of Rock Hill, SC, makes teapots and other ceramics inspired by nature and guided by historical precedent, especially the teapots made in Yixing, China.

Kim Dills of Asheville, NC, uses oil, fiber and wood to create mixed media paintings influenced by Asian art and culture and characterized by multiple layers and depth within one common frame.

Ingrid Erickson of Salisbury, NC, fell in love with the art of cut paper while living in China and Thailand. Nature is the chief inspiration for her unique hand-cut pieces.

C. Shana Greger of Brevard, NC, is known for her stylized waterfall paintings of western North Carolina, children’s books, illustrations and public art commissions.

Michael Hamlin-Smith of Charlotte, NC, makes primarily wheel-thrown pottery influenced by 12th-15th century Persian ceramics, Sung Dynasty vessels and Japanese Ikebana arrangements.

Marcia Jestaedt of Alexandria, VA, is a clay artist who makes Raku fired kimonos and fans with imagery derived from her interests in Oriental art, ethnic clothing, ceremonial robes and ecclesiastical garments.

Matt Kelleher of Marshall, NC, is a resident artist at Penland School of Crafts known for soda-fired tableware, sculptural vessels and bird-inspired forms.

Po-Wen Liu of Jamestown, NC, who creates ceramic pottery with Buddhist design elements, was a ceramic engineer in his native Taiwan before coming to the United States to study.

Betty Helen Longhi of Lexington, NC, is a nationally recognized metal smith who creates finely crafted jewelry and sculpture in gold, silver, and niobium and pewter.

Kathleen Master of Holly Springs, NC, creates mixed media sculptural pieces using paper, metal, paint, flowers and found objects.

Gillian Parke of Durham, NC, combines elements of contemporary porcelain and Japanese pottery, especially Shigaraki stoneware, to create unconventional works of art.

Lee Sipe of Columbia, SC, weaves contemporary baskets from pine needles, fiber and copper and silver-plated wire, always including an element from her Korean heritage.

Timothy Sullivan of Marrietta, GA, produces distinctive wheel-thrown and altered porcelain with layered glazes the mimic glass or ice sculptures.

Karen James Swing of Tallahassee, FL, makes garments that push the unique sculptural aspects of fibers to also take on the painterly qualities of watercolors and pastels.

Yuko Nogami Taylor of Raleigh, NC, creates oil paintings inspired by modern Western art and historical art images from her native Japan.

The Galleries, which are operated by the Cabarrus Arts Council, are located in the Cabarrus County Historic Courthouse in Concord. The Galleries will be closed Apr. 18-27, 2014.

For further information check our NC Institutional Gallery listings, call the Council at 704/920-2787 or visit (www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org).

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