emerging artist: Jennifer Hansen Gard


My interest lies in medicinal herbs and plants that directly
affect the body. I am interested in using the ceramic vessel the explore
ethnobotony, which is defined as the study of “the relationship between people
and plants including various aspects of how plants are used for food . . . and
medicine” (Rai, Acharya, & Rios, 2011). As an artist I am questioning what
is the role of the plant in today’s society? What connects plants and people? I
am working to explore the relationship between plants and people through the
ceramic vessel.
I have set out to better understand specific plants through
researching the growing, harvest, and consumption. I supplement my ceramics
studio practice with a growing practice that includes an Herb Garden and greenhouse growing. I considered specific plant
needs for example companion planting and root structure in designing and
building growing containers. I used my hands to transform the clay through pushing,
pinching, and pulling creating vessels of containment.
 
At the same time I am growing, harvesting, and creating vessels
specific for the herbs I am also integrating vessels into my daily life. I
recently created a dish set that I used for every meal for a 30 days period. I
was thinking about the throw away culture we live in and how disconnected it is
from the growing practice that I am so deeply involved in. I question shouldn’t
what we eat and drink from have more value than trash? I performed the 30 Days
Project Part II later called The Dish Set
Challenge I
through the month of November with a dish set that includes a
cup, bowl, and plate. I used it for every meal recording through photos and
updates on my blog. In December, I create The
Dish Set Challenge II
with my husband Forrest where we used a connected dish
set plate, bowl and cup for every meal for one week. You can view both projects
at  gardclaystudios.blogspot.com

The work displayed in Coeval
as a product of my growing practice and includes turmeric, cayenne, and
moonseeds held in balance with a social practice. The Dish Set Challenge III will take place during the duration of
the exhibition from January 10th through February 7th,
2014. The project involves the help of five participants Belenda
Flucker, Aurelio Diaz, Keith Karchella. Violeta Chinni, and Jenny Lucas
Kaufman. These five participants and myself will be competing a 28 day Dish Set Challenge. The participants
will be presented with a handmade dish set made specifically for them. They
will eat and drink from it every day during the course of the exhibition. Each
day the participants will post on a group blog recording meals and reflecting
as they experience the project. The project
will commence at the opening reception with a meal that I prepare from 100%
local food I have collected from farms surrounding Mansfield. You can view the
projects daily progress at

emerging artist: Nina Kawar

 

Within my studio
practice I am exploring the self and mechanisms we use to protect ourselves. My
research of defense mechanisms and self-presentations within psychology has led
me to examine human emotional responses and how they work within social-interactions.
I am investigating the unique layers of our identity and how we project
fragments of the self to others through behavior or impulses. One way I have
chosen to execute this concept is through a barrier or shield. The forms allow
the viewer to experience multiple perspectives that are present in human
relations when instinctive behavior patterns come in to play. This continues to
address my interest in human’s need for order and control because the ego is
trying to organize behavior within social environments.  
The delicate
nature of the ceramic forms highlights the sometimes-fragile fragments of our
ego. Some elements imply a softness or approachability while others suggest
precaution. Repetition of these forms is also signifying habitual patterns and
reoccurrences in our everyday experiences.
In addition to
psychology, architecture has been a significant influence in my work. Both
mashrabiyyas and muqarnas have been pertinent in my understanding of decorative
motifs and their functions within architecture. I believe there is a strong
interest in these structures because I have associated them to the body and I
continuing to contemplate how they can function as a psychological state. 
– Nina Kawar

ninakawar.weebly.com

emerging artist: Sarah McNutt

 
Artist Statement:

As
individuals we endeavor to assert our uniqueness, but in the same
breath ask if our experiences are shared by others. The contact of two
hands, the pull of gravity on sinking form, the small indent of a hidden
smile, I observe the subtle movements in life and through my work, ask
you to do the same.

Just
as we only pick up on tiny gestures when speaking face to face, the
conscious mind has the amazing ability to find meaning in the minuet.
The brevity and physicality of these interactions laden with
significance is fascinating to me and through my choice of format and
material I try to draw attention to the details we often overlook.
In
my most recent work I’ve been exploring the intricacies of human
interaction and our perceptions of each other through the use of the
body. Though the strategies I use to convey ideas vary greatly, there is
always a connecting thread tying human presence to the content.

I
have great interest in studying people from objective point of view and
in turn, make work that allows me to create a platform in which to
observe and engage others. I strive to create work that is likes a
conversation, rich in information, fluid, and fleeting.

Here is the info for the images. The concepts for the works are explained further on her site.

Untitled (image 1-2)
Year: 2013
Method: Handbuilt
Materials: raw clay, muslin, video projection
Measurements: 7’x3’x3′

The Pygmalion Project (image 3-4) http://www.sarahmcnutt.com/#!pygmalion-project-sarah-mcnutt/cyb8

Year: 2013
Method: Handbuilt and electric fired to cone 04
Materials: Low fire clay, video projection, wood
Measurements: 36″x15″x15″Inches (H x W x D)


Temperament Study (image 5) http://www.sarahmcnutt.com/#!gesture-study-sarah-mcnutt/cecj
Year: 2012
Method: Slab and electric fired to cone 04
Materials: Low fire clay, underglazes, wood
Measurements: 6.50 X 6.50 X 1.50 Inches


Uncomfortable Parts (image 6-7) http://www.sarahmcnutt.com/#!uncomfortable-parts/c1v3z
Year: 2013
Method: Body parts casted from a variety of volunteers mounted on a raw clay base
Materials: Cone 04 Clay, pigment wash, raw clay, armature 

Measurements: 6’x3’x3′

Verbiage (image 8-9) http://www.sarahmcnutt.com/#!verbaige/c1k1 

Year: 2013
Method: Handbuilt and electric fired to cone 04
Materials: Low fire clay, video projection, joint compound 
Measurements: Varies according to space installed