Hunters and Gatherers celebrates the art of the found object and the art of assemblage. Each artist has gathered material from various sources such as urban settings or their own studios, finding and collecting large amounts of disparate parts made of wood, iron, ceramics, paper and then bringing them together to create a new sense of sculptural identity. The urge to collect objects that “catch one’s eye” for their simple intrinsic value and beauty and then transforming the objects by re-assembling them is at the heart of the exhibition. Long before our forebears became an agricultural society, we had to hunt, forage and gather for food and shelter. The idea of collecting is buried deep into our DNA. In the contemporary realm of art making, these ten artists are not interested in representing the world as it exists but rearranging material in a way that they want to see it exist. In their work, an interesting vibration and cumulative look at form and figure that transcends time and space takes place. For example, in the works selected, one can see a recurring theme of a circle within a square. In addition, the dichotomy of insertion and the idea of stacking and building is strongly represented. Finally, the work has the uncanny ability to no longer reveal the original use or intention of the object, but to reveal a transformed talismanic sense of being.
Charlie Coolidge creates treasure troves of trash that pile together and whose original ingredients attempt an advancement of content through their pairings. Conjuring Stonehenge, Coolidge’s urban decay is caught between worlds as it refers to the use of a place through reference and physical evidence.
Lois Harada manipulates discarded paper into delicate compositions of cut paper forms inspired by flora and fauna. The paper works are gathered onto panels, following the tradition of collecting and reassembling found natural materials for display in cabinets of curiosity or vivarium.
Susan Hardy’s modular work is comprised of deconstructed tea bags. Squares of delicate dyed tea paper are held together with a transparent glue made from cornstarch and syrup creating a quilted diary of consumption and contemplation.
Lynne Harlow creates minimal installations that intervene with architecture and space in a dynamic play between light and form. Working with scraps from her studio for this particular work in the exhibition, she creates subtle shifts in perception of object, line and shape.
Kirsten Hassenfeld creates mixed media sculptures made from buttons, jar lids, blueware ceramic bowls and other found objects. Originally taking their name from handmade wooden functional objects, Hassenfeld’s treens are symmetric forms that hang in groups. They become reminiscent of any number of household accoutrements including wind chimes, hanging bells, and finials.
Tayo Heuser presents a knotted tapestry which exists as proof of a personal performance. For three months Heuser carried a piece of cotton twine around with her and each time she had a negative thought, she tied a knot. Every day is represented by a separate piece of twine.
Scott Lapham exhibits unaltered sea forms that are conglomerations of debris and detritus preserved in epoxy resin. The exquisite natural collections seem to have been compiled by the shore creatures into nests of wonder.
Nick Sayers’ spherical objects are born from an interest in nature and geometry. Using found and collected utilitarian structures such as measuring tapes and bike reflectors, Sayers creates curious clusters that beg to be deciphered for their constructed ingenuity and simplicity.
Daniel Stupar’s mixed media assemblage references sacred architecture and ceremonial objects and their mounded or dome-like structure. Supreme symmetry unifies the otherwise disparate objects that now exist as one.
John Udvardy is a modernist sculptor whose assembled structures have their roots in Cubist sensibilities surrounding painting and collage. The varied yet elegant work weaves poetic tales of work and leisure in stunning masses of materials including wood, stone, fired clay, nails, paint stirrers and canvas.
