by Logan Snook
The 50 Women: A Celebration of Women’s Contribution to Ceramics exhibit opened March 16th, and the world-class works featured in the exhibit are thought provoking and incredibly varied.
Just how varied? Take a look at the works presented by ceramic artists Shalene Valenzuela and Virginia Scotchie. Both artists presented ceramic works that are dramatically different esthetically, stylistically, and symbolically.
Shalene Valenzuela
My exploration of issues focusing on women is important to me for many reasons. Personally, this study resonates with a particular history of my changing perception of me and my role in this lifetime. However, my investigations speak to a greater issue of how women in general perceive themselves and are seen in society, historically and today. In examining the larger picture, I see my exploration of these issues addressing self perception and expectations reaching beyond just purely feminist concerns. It’s a question of how we all strive to attain impossible ideals based on what others define we should be.
Explore Shalene’s website for more on her as an artist and her art.
Virginia Scotchie
Exploration in the studio is and on-going visual investigation of man-made and natural objects. Usually these consist of small things; ordinary in many ways, but possessing and odd quirkiness that pulls me to them. In some cases I do not know the objects particular purpose, function or where it may have originated. I feel this lack of knowledge allows me to see the object in a clearer light…I do not wish for this work to be named or labeled, rather, it is my intention that through the borrowing and reformation of objects the work might trigger one to look closer and find beauty and intrigue in the humble, ordinary and familiar objects that surround us.
Explore Virginia’s website for more on her as an artist and her art.
The 50 Women: A Celebration of Women’s Contribution to Ceramics exhibit is open to the public through May 13th at the Changing Art Gallery at the American Jazz Museum.