Organic Dissolution

Susan Beiner

March 21 - April 26, 2013

 

Dissolution is a word that can apply to many things; usually government, businesses, relationships and partnerships.  It refers to what is left once something is broken up, dispersed or undone.  Susan Beiner's wonderfully chaotic ceramic and mixed media sculptures explore the resulting state, or dissolution, of all that was once natural, but is now genetically modified or altered, manufactured or processed, manipulated or cloned.  

 

This absence of color is an expression of Beiner's concerns about the effects of human development on the natural world. "I was thinking about genetic engineering and cloning," she said. "We have new plant species being germinated in laboratories, and at the same time, we are depleting the earth's resources. I started imagining what might happen to plant life that has been processed to the point of becoming sterile."

 

Initially inspired by the opulence of 18th-century European vessels, her early teapots, made when she lived in Detroit in the 1990s, were adorned with ceramic bolts and screws. Later, after a move to California, plant forms found their way into her teapots and sculptures, and more recently, she has incorporated synthetic substances, including plastics, foam, acrylic and rubber.

 

About the Artist

 

Susan Beiner received her MFA from The University of Michigan, and BFA from Rutgers University in New Jersey.  Currently, she teaches at Arizona State University. She has exhibited both nationally and internationally and has received several awards and residencies. Susan's ceramic work has been exhibited at The Mint Museum of Craft and Design; NC, Holter Museum of Art; MT, Princessehof  Keramiekmuseum; Netherlands, Wustum Museum of Fine Art; WI , San Francisco Museum of Fine Arts; CA,  as well as numerous galleries and universities around the country.

Britain's Dinners and Texan Meals

Damaris Booth

March 21 - April 26, 2013

 

Art League Houston (ALH) is pleased to present Britain's Dinners and Texan Meals, a solo exhibition by British ceramic artist Damaris Booth in conjunction with the National Council on Education for Ceramic Arts (NCECA) Conference. The exhibition explores the unique cultural relationship that Britain and Texas have with themes of food through a series of sixteen photo-infused ceramic plates that depict the 'leftovers' from ten Texan meals and six British dinners, which the artist made and ate over the past month. "Having been brought up with the tradition to always 'clean my plate' I have acquired a fascination with leftovers.  I am intrigued by how food can be rapidly transformed from being necessary and desirable to unwanted and repulsive." 

 

Texas dishes include: Chicken Fried Steak, BBQ Beef Brisket, Cheese Enchiladas with Chile con Carne, Meatloaf, King Ranch Chicken Casserole, Fried Catfish and Hush Puppies, Fried Chicken, Gumbo, Texas Chile and Tacos.

British meals included: Curry, Chinese, Roast Dinner, Fish 'n' Chips, Bangers 'n' Mash and Pizza.

 

I'm sure you're all aware our exhibition, Britain's Dinners and Texas Meals by ceramic artist Damaris Booth comes to an unfortunate end this Friday April 26, 2013.

If you're wondering who the artist is behind this great ceramic art it's Damaris Booth. She is a British artist who lives and works in London, UK. She received a BFA from Bath Spa University, Bath UK and a BTEC Diploma in Craft Design from Camberwell College of Art and Design, London. She was an artist in residence at the Guldagergaard, International Ceramic Research Centre in Denmark (2008) and has been in numerous group shows in and around Europe. 

 

To our luck we were able to snag a few moments of her time to answer a few questions about her current exhibition and artistic practices.

 

A: I discovered ceramics on an Art and Design Diploma at the University of the Arts, London and despite swaying towards textiles I became inspired and decided to switch to ceramics; I loved all the possibilities clay had. I then went on to study a BA (Hons) degree in Ceramics at Bath Spa University.

A: I am interested in ceramics as a ubiquitous material in domestic life. Ceramic plates play a central part in most meal times in the UK and USA.

A: My mum brought me up to always clear my plate and I have since been completely unable to leave any, even if I am about to pop. I started photographing any leftovers that I came across in cafes and on friends' plates. It wasn't long before I had the idea to use ceramic transfers to start putting photographs of leftovers on plates. I am also interested in how food can be transformed so rapidly from something which is essential and desirable to being repulsive.

Q: Why did you choose Britain and Texan foods to work with?

A: I am British and have been fascinated by our unique cultural relationship with food for some time. I chose meals which were Britain's favorite to highlight our eclectic taste stemming from our country's history. For instance, Indian food is our number one favorite.

I became interested in Texan food when Jennie Ash saw them and said how she'd love to see a Texan range. I started researching Texan food and couldn't wait to get cooking and eating.

A: I've been to Houston once as a stop-over on a flight. My only memory is of going to Taco Bell and it wasn't that great! Now I know what Texan food is really like, I'd love to come over and try chicken fried steak or some ribs!

A: The plates are created by converting a photograph into a ceramic water-slide transfer which is then applied to bone china plates. They are then fired to around 1470 degrees Fahrenheit which makes the image bond with the glaze on the plate and become permanent.

A: This is a tough question. I really like the fried catfish. I love the chipotle ketchup smear and coleslaw patterns. It was hard to leave the last bit of hush puppy, they were so delicious!

Q: Are there food dishes you regret not creating?  

A: Ham with collard greens and black-eyed peas was originally on the list. But I decided to leave it at 10 meals. I'd love to explore desserts at another time. I can't wait to have a slice of Texan pecan pie one day.

A: I ate all the meals. I'm someone who never leaves leftovers so I found it a challenge to deliberately leave some. I tried not to get too caught up in how the leftovers looked but I couldn't help but play with the composition on some of them. I've always seen leftovers as drawings. We all make expressive marks everyday, but with ketchup rather than charcoal.

A: I'd love to collaborate with restaurants in Houston and London and create plates of their signature dishes.

We hope to see all of you in the gallery by Friday, and if you've had the chance to see it previously, come swing by for a second glace before these plates are sent back overseas!

Flight, the day I began to disappear

Jessica Fortier Kreutter

March 21 - April 26, 2013

 

 

Inspired by the spaces that are in-between, Flight, the day I began to disappear explores the moments between reality and fantasy. The swings become nostalgic apparitions that float between the trees and sky, the remnants of memory, its possibility and its departure. "Memories of use and traces of decay connect these objects to memories of a body that has disappeared. In this fragile moment, I want to imagine what materializes from these shadows left behind and the body that would exist in these ruins".

 

About the Artist

 

Jessica Kreutter received an MFA from The University of Tennessee in 2010. For ten years previous to graduate school, she worked as an artist and art teacher in Portland, Oregon. Recently, she has exhibited at Pirate: Contemporary Art, Mütter Museum, Seattle Design Center and the Fort Collins Museum of Art, as well as, in group exhibitions in Philadelphia, Washington, Houston, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina and Colorado. She has been a resident artist at ART342, Vermont Studio Center, Anderson Ranch, PlatteForum, The Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Caldera and The Oregon College of Art and Craft. Recently, she has gained a new appreciation for pigeons and ice sculptures.

 

THE MARTY: A MONTROSE ART PARTY

DRESS AS YOUR FAVORITE ARTIST OR ARTWORK

Co-Chaired by Karee Laing and Bobby Bass

6 - 9 PM Friday, May 3 2013

 

Art League Houston (ALH) is excited to invite the public to our annual fundraising event The Marty: A Montrose Art Party, on Friday, May 3, from 6 - 9 PM. The event benefits ALH's Healing Art Program, which provides free art instruction and supplies to adults living with serious illness and physical disabilities. Entry to the event is free.

 

This year's costume theme is Dress as Your Favorite Artist or Artwork so get ready to be creative!!! A photo booth will be on-site ready for you and your friends to have fun with!

 

The event will feature a live DJ spinning tunes, delicious treats from Whole Foods, beer from Saint Arnolds Brewing Company and a special event-inspired cocktail dubbed "The Andy Warhol". 

 

The event will feature a selection of artwork for sale by Healing Art artists in the Main Gallery, as well as an exciting silent auction featuring jewelry, dinner at Uchi, Symphony, Opera and Alley tickets to name just a few.  A portion of the artwork and concession proceeds will help support ALH's Healing Art program.

 

Please join us in supporting this unique and valuable program, while enjoying the opportunity to purchase amazing artwork at affordable prices!

 

About Art League Houston's Healing Art Program

 

Founded by Houston artist Patrick Palmer in 1990 and hosted by Art League Houston, The Healing Art program was created for adults living with HIV+/AIDS. In 1995, ALH provided additional Healing Art classes to serve adults living with other severe illnesses including cancer, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and physical disabilities. The ALH Healing Art program is the only one of its kind for adults in Houston, outside of hospital or clinical settings. ALH Healing Art classes are offered free of charge. ALH teaching artists Kermit Eisenhut and Emily Sloan instruct Healing Art students in painting, collage, drawing, and mixed media. In addition, ALH provides Healing Art students with opportunities to exhibit and sell their art each year.