Flow by Bob Gates

Photography on the Edge: Between Realism and Abstraction

Show closes November 20th.

Features photographs by Central New York artists that address the relationship between realistic representation and abstract concepts. Participating artists include:  Willson Cummer, Bob Gates, Elisabeth Groat, Peter Mahan, Yolanda Tooley, Jeanann Wieners, Diana Whiting, and Jamie Young.

The co-curators, Jen Gandee and Syracuse-area photographer, Bob Gates, in selecting work for this show, were looking for images that are true to the perennial conflict in the history of photography between representational and non-representational images.  The same conflicting impulses that have shaped other forms of art—realism, impressionism, expressionism, abstraction, surrealism–have had their adherents among photographers.  The works in this exhibit show how some photographers in Central New York respond to or participate in that complex history.

Participating artists include: Jenny Pope, Lucie Wellner, Nancy Kramer, Rodger DeMuth, Zach Dunn, Melissa Montgomery, Kathy Barry, Jen Gandee. Sarah Panzarella, Lynn Yenkey, Ron DeRutte, Lori Hawk, Amy Francher, and Errol Willett.

Melissa Montgomery, Garden Spheres

On View March 3 – May 1, 2011

Forrest Lesch-Middelton’s pottery combines historic patterns with modern-day technology.  The resulting work creates a subtle narrative that references the cross-cultural influences that impact every facet of daily life.  Pottery is used as a metaphor to illustrate this phenomenon.  To achieve the intricate patterns, Lesch-Middelton uses silkscreen and embossment transfer techniques.  He says of his artwork, “By blending form, pattern, and surface, my goal is to create an object that simultaneously elicits a visceral and intellectual response, followed by a contemplation of my work as a whole.”

The artist gave a workshop at the Syracuse University Ceramics Department (at Comstock Art Facility) on Sat., March 5^th co-sponsored by the Syracuse Ceramics Guild.   This informative workshop explored the techniques Forrest uses to integrate studio ceramics and printmaking processes for creating his highly decorative functional wares.  He shared methods for transferring silk-screened images onto wheel-thrown forms,  and discussed the reduction cooling process he uses to fire his work.

Lesch-Middelton received his MFA in Ceramics from Utah State University in 2006 and a BFA in Ceramics from New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University in 1998.  He is currently the Ceramics Program Coordinator at the Sonoma Community Center in Sonoma, California and teaches at Santa Rosa Jr. College and Solano College in the San Francisco Bay area.  His artwork has been shown in many venues nationally, including the Baltimore Clayworks (MD), Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts (TN), and Santa Fe Clay Center (NM).  He currently lives with his wife and two daughters in Northern California.

For more information about the exhibition, contact Jen Gandee at jen@gandeegallery.com. The images below are installation shots of the show at the Gandee Gallery.

]]> http://www.gandeegallery.com/2011/01/forrest-lesch-middelton/feed/ 0 http://www.gandeegallery.com/2011/01/embryonic-recent-work-by-eunjung-shin/ http://www.gandeegallery.com/2011/01/embryonic-recent-work-by-eunjung-shin/#comments Fri, 21 Jan 2011 16:38:27 +0000 admin http://www.gandeegallery.com/?p=655 Embryonic: Recent Work by Eunjung Shin

January 27 – February 27

Korean-born Eunjung Shin’s figurative ceramic sculpture depicts experiences from the artist’s life.  Her work in the upcoming show at the Gandee Gallery, Embryonic, will include a new series of realistic, infant figures cradled in egg-like structures.  These pieces represent Shin’s hopeful wishes and new beginnings.  The exhibition will also include larger jester figures, which explore the nature of human folly.  Many of the works are embellished with beautifully hand-carved arabesques and floral patterns.  The artist says that the carving of these ornamentations is much like meditative acts connected to many Asian traditions.

Shin received an MFA in Ceramics from Syracuse University in 2007 and a MFA in Ceramics form Kyunghee Universiy in Yongin, Korea.  She currently teaches classes at the Community Folk Art Center’s Creative Arts Academy in Syracuse.  Her artwork has been shown in many venues nationally and internationally, including Affinity at the Icheon World Ceramic Center in Icheon, Korea.  Shin currently resides in the city of Syracuse.

The images below are of the recent show: Embryonic by ceramic artist Eunjung Shin.  Thanks Eunjung for making such a gorgeous show.

Opening reception Sat., Dec 3, 6-8 pm

Chair by Elisebeth Groat

October 15- November 21, 2010  

Reception: Sat., Oct. 16^th, 6-8 pm

Ninemile Creek by Willson Cummer

Featuring Central New York artists who explore the interaction between the local landscape and human activity.  Exhibiting artists include: Steven Barbash, Rayburn Beale, Willson Cummer, Brenda Edwards, Bob Gates, Nancy Kramer, Jared Landberg, Sarah McCoubrey, Diane Menzies, Phil Parsons, and Lucie Wellner.

Be sure to go to the artist’s page to see select pieces in the show.

June 3- July 25

Artist Talk: Sat., June 5th, 5-6 PM

Reception: Sat., June 5th, 6-8 PM

The Gandee Gallery is proud to present the work of ceramist, John Jessiman, and painter, Steven Barbash.  These two distinguished former professors of art taught together for almost 30 years at State University of New York, Cortland. The public is invited to hear the artists speak about their artwork and long friendship at the Gandee Gallery Saturday, June 5^th, from 5-6 PM with a reception to follow, from 6-8 PM.

John Jessiman’s ceramic artwork is rooted in function and inspired by the abstract expressionist aesthetic.  He received his MFA in Ceramics from Alfred University in 1963 at a time when artists where pushing the boundaries of their medium and he was drawn to ceramic artwork that “moved clay much as the expressionist painter approached painting.”  This connection continues to inform his art practice.  His work in the upcoming Gandee Gallery show will demonstrate his visceral forms and atmospheric surfaces.

After retiring from SUNY Cortland in 1996 after 33 years of teaching, Jessiman moved to Appomattox, VA and founded the Cub Creek Foundation in 2001, a residency program for emerging ceramic artists.   He actively exhibits his artwork and conducts workshops at many venues nationwide.

Steven Barbash is a master draftsman. His work investigates the natural world with attentiveness and formal precision.  A graduate of Yale (where he studied under Bauhaus proponent, Josef Albers), he applies abstract construction and structure to “the compelling images of life.”  His proficiency with painting, printmaking, and drawing can be seen at the Gandee Gallery, offering the viewer a sampling of his techniques and subject matter, including studies of landscapes, flowers, birds, and the human figure.

Barbash’s teaching career began in 1960 at Juniata College, in Huntingdon, PA.  In 1970, he moved to Upstate New York to teach at State University of New York, Cortland, and nearly 30 years later, he retired in 1999 as a University Distinguished Professor.  He has shown his work regionally and nationally, and has work in many permanent collections, including the Corcoran Gallery of Art, the Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University, and the National Collection of Fine Arts at the Smithsonian Institute.  He lives with his wife, Judy, in Ludlowville, NY.

Sculpture and Pottery by Shanna Fliegel

On View May 1- May 31, 2010

Reception Sat., May 1st, 6-9 PM

Check out a review of the show from the ‘Stars’ section of the Syracuse Post Standard:

http://blog.syracuse.com/cny/2010/05/gandee_gallery_in_fabius_hosts_exhibit_of_arresting_off-beat_ceramics.html

Shanna Fliegel’s ceramic artwork draws upon “the surrealistic nature of dreams and childhood memories” and combines image, color, and sculpted forms to create “vehicles that generate stories for the viewer”.   Her artistic output includes anthropomorphic figures, wall tablets, and functional vessels and these will be on view in Fliegel’s upcoming show, Fiction to Function, at the Gandee Gallery.

A reoccurring theme in Fliegel’s work is “the disposition of contemporary society’s relationship and/or disconnect with both wild and domesticated animals.”  She states, ”by chronicling the threatened and easily forgotten creatures that make up the natural world through drawn and figurative forms I hope to preserve their fragile essence as permanent artifacts.”

The Gandee Gallery is sponsoring a hands-on workshop conducted by Shanna Fliegel.  It will be held Sat., May 1^st, 10:00-3:00 at the Gandee Gallery studio and is open to all experience levels.  The cost is $35.  The workshop is free for Syracuse Ceramic Guild members.  For more information or to register, email Jen Gandee at jen@gandeegallery.com.

The workshop will focus on surface decoration techniques.  Shanna utilizes sgraffito combined with slips, underglazes, and glaze and incorporates imagery created by thermofax, a kind of silkscreen technology.  She applies these techniques to her functional and sculptural forms.  Workshop participates will have the opportunity to practice demonstrated techniques on tiles, which they can take home, or have the Gandee Gallery fire, for an extra fee.

Fliegel is currently a Resident Artist at the Clay Art Center in Port Chester, NY.  She received a MFA from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, IL and a BFA from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA.  Her work was recently shown at the 2010 NCECA Invitational, Earth Matters, at the Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia, PA and she had at solo exhibition, Artifacts of Circumstance, at the Clay Art Center in Port Chester, NY in 2009.

Be sure to go to the artist’s page to see select pieces in the show.

March 18- April 25, 2010

Opening Reception- March 20, 6-8 PM

Act 2 represents a pivotal moment in the life and art for artist, Michelle DaRin.  Known regionally and nationally as a designer of fine art jewelry, Michelle also creates sculptural assemblages.  These combine found objects, cast bronze, and reclaimed wood, fiber, and metal.  Much like a three-dimensional collage, these pieces become a “stage” for object interaction, channeling the subconscious of the maker and are open to interpretation by their audience.

Michelle’s jewelry also incorporates various elements, including forged and enameled copper, cast silver, fiber, resin, and stones.  She responds to materials and color intuitively and maintains that her designs are made in an effort to “brighten the world” and are fun to wear.  Her jewelry and sculpture will both be featured at the upcoming Gandee Gallery exhibition.

DaRin earned a BFA degree in Sculpture from SUNY Cortland and a MFA from Syracuse University in Metalsmithing.  Her jewelry has been featured in Bridal Guide, W Magazine, and Women’s Wear Daily, and on The Today Show, and can be found in many boutiques and fine stores, including select Nordstrom’s locations.  Michelle lives with her husband and three children near Jamesville, NY.