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Thursday, June 04, 2009 8:34 AM Outsider artists Art show features 3D art From staff reports Outsider or visionary art refers to the works created mostly by self-taught artists from outside the traditional world of fine art, said Susann Hood, who helped coordinate the show. "Outsider artists mostly follow their own path for self-expression rather than popular ideals," she said. Vollis Simpson is Wilson's most renowned outsider artist. "This exhibit will give us the opportunity to feature the whimsical, capricious and even a bit odd side of mainstream art," said Hood. "It's a bit of whimsy, serendipity, broken and beautiful but pure, creative endeavors." Earl Rasmussen, a Vietnam veteran and retired electrical engineer, makes fine wood-segmented vessels from natural colored hardwoods, all turned on a lathe using homemade tools. His vessels and bowls have a smooth interwoven look with the brilliant colors coming from the natural color of purple heart, Jatoba and bloodwood trees rather than stains and dyes. Rasmussen, who is from Los Angeles but now lives in Pikeville, began showing his work a year ago after a suggestion from his wife to get it out of the house and do something with it. Rasmussen also does silversmith work. His pieces are now shown in galleries and shows. "Every piece of art tells a story" said Walter Shearen, a self- proclaimed character and "Woodstock Survivor." His whimsical 3-D clay mask of "Uncle Joe" is a play off of Van Gogh. "Uncle Joe" cut off his ear like Van Gogh, but after second thoughts, sewed it back on, albeit upside down. Shearin's other work includes a white crackle skull - man "Vito" and "Baby Jane," a 3-D face on an angelic woman made from stoneware using a 2,000-year-old firing process. "Everybody has an inner spirit to create for themselves if they take time to pursue it. Outsiders are not in it for the money but for the satisfaction of creativity," said Shearen. Shearen lives in Raleigh and holds workshops at Finch's Pottery in Bailey. Todd Minshew's mosaic wall piece "Alta Vista" is a psychedelic swirl of colorful tiles and mirror on recycled cabinet board. He also offers a mosaic birdhouse, "Little bird, big ego," which is a tiny birdhouse with a large perch made from a pot lid. It is an avian version of "Welcome to my house, just don't stay too long." Minshew, a former MelloButterCup ice cream company manager, lives in Stantonsburg. Studio One mosaic artist Carol Wikfors offers brilliantly colored tile art with beach and garden themes and also makes custom bird baths and benches. Kristi Randolf and Wanda Borge are also showing fine mosaic art for home and garden. Always whimsical and playful, Hood's pique-assiette (broken plate) mosaics feature two mosaic bunnies, "Taj" and "Uncle Kink," both made using gold-edged pieces of Wedgwood and Limoges china. Thurman Goins is a college student recently discovered at an arts festival who makes etchings on non-traditional surfaces such as tile and linoleum. Ron Vick also does scrimshaw carvings on bone and wood along with wooden wildlife sculptures. Dan Haliday is showing his silver jewelry from vintage tableware, and Wayne Webb is showing his whimsical dinosaurs and metal sculptures. Other art to be on display is Dennis Musselwhite's wax impressions and Horace Raper's unique totem poles and wood art. "Art is good for the soul" said Hood. "Whether it's fine painting on canvas or making whirligigs from car parts, it takes you away from whatever stress you may have going on in your life. It gives you self-satisfaction with your only obligation being to encourage others to find their inner resources." The exhibit will run through July 18. |
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said...
Opens tonight at The Arts Council of Wilson
Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 5:58 AM
visitor said...Opens tonight at The Arts Council of Wilson
Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 5:58 AM
where is this show?
Monday, June 08, 2009 at 11:39 AM
