Opening Reception & Art WalkSaturday, March 1st
6 to 8PM
Assemblage by Nita Hughes
Nita Hughes sees things differently. “When I was 4 years old I found a huge entanglement of colored telephone wires and took pieces home and made a large bouquet for my bedroom. I saw just as much beauty in these twisted, tangled masses as I would have seen in an arrangement of beautiful flowers, and I would constantly stare at my creation with adornment and carefully rearrange the ‘branches.’ ”
“I have always been able to look at an ordinary object and take it completely away from its intended use and visualize its new purpose or function.”
Hughes works with hand-sculpted wood, paint, wax, found objects, stone, metal and wire. “I use whatever I find.” In this way the artist changes the perceived value of a material, “a piece of gold is equal to a rusted nail, a diamond is not cherished above a discovered, sun-bleached animal bone. The cast-off and discarded are the treasures.”
Hughes works with themes of protection, trust or the lack of it, and finding security in the permanence of the need for truth in human nature. “The idea of the gods, religious icons and rituals and images of saint-like protectors frequently find a way into my work.” Her art reflects a continuing interest in spirituality. “I have always been intrigued by how people choose one ‘religion’ over others, accept ideals or beliefs, decide what is sacred to them or where to place their complete confidence and trust.”
IMAGES BY NITA HUGHES:
Above:
Keeper of the Garden of The Dead
Light box, hand carved painted wood, found objects, bone, branches, moss
30"H x 14"W X 8"D
Below:
Farm Goddess
Assemblage, painted wood, encaustic, found objects, hypodermic needles
29"H x 22"W X 8"D
New Prints by Ken Parker
Ken Parker's hands are rarely idle. This passionate artist from County Cork, Ireland works in a wide range of media and materials to create his unique form of artwork. “I love to make art, working on my prints and sculpture is as essential to me as eating and breathing.”
Until recently Ken has been additionally consumed with working with other people. In “troubles era” Belfast initially, followed by all Ireland and the United States Ken ran workshops using various materials and art forms, such as, concrete sculpture, murals, printmaking, glasswork etc. These workshops brought an endless assortment of ideas to schools, community centers, even prisons, bringing people and communities together for rare creative experiences. “Everyone has the ability to create something unique. I help them draw it out.”
Early career work in the jewelry trade, leading to a lengthy period as a self-employed engraver of fine metals, and running a retail business eventually led to dissatisfaction and of being unfulfilled. “I got the chance to return to art schoo1 as 'mature student' and I haven't looked back.”
Ultimately gaining a Masters Degree in Fine Art at the University of Ulster at Belfast in 1990, Parker continues to exhibit his prints and sculpture and also to facilitate workshops, both in Ireland and the United States.
Parker describes printmaking as “2D sculpture!” Using re-cycled and found objects in the making of his large dynamic collograph prints, they are very much hand made. “I enjoy being literally in touch with the work, not separated by brush or other instrument.” His other favored printmaking technique, the silkscreen process, is used on its own and also with collograph to form a hybrid highly unique to the artist, the collo/silkscreen print. Making prints up to four meters square in some cases, his is a very sophisticated, accomplished work.
Prints by Jeane Myers and Brent Wickline's Feather Sculpture
Also this month Jeane Myers, who is a part of the mastermind design team, along with Lisa Johnson and Teresa Verraes, responsible for the transformations AOT undergoes each month brings her process driven assemblage to the gallery. As an artist and designer she is propelled by the question "What if?" and the intuitive trust that the work stay in the moment. “What if I put a mark here? What if I lay color there or text from a journal entry. All of this creates an underpainting that is my map. This map is my doorway into an exploration of what lies beneath the visible outer layer. The journey can take as little as a few hours or traverse years.”
Plus, AOT is proud to feature feather sculptures by Brent Wickline. Wickline’s sculptures have been attracting attention at the gallery for many months. His unassuming works often they steal the show with their simple elegance and eye-catching movement. His small-scale twisted wire sculptures are feats of perfect balance that twirl and dip in the slightest of passing breeze. They give the viewer an irresistible impression that the work is reacting to their presence. His recent creations include miniature bottles, odds and ends, and splashes of brilliantly colored plumage.
