The George School visual arts faculty are displaying new work in the Walton Center Gallery on the George School Campus through February 14, 2014. On display are ceramic pots, photographs, furniture, and paintings from Amedeo Salamoni, Danielle Picard-Sheehan, Carter Sio ’76, Judy Bartella, and Jo Adachi. A gallery talk and reception will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2013.
Amedeo is showcasing work that spans twenty-four years of his career. Each pot features a face, some more abstract than others, and represents a decades old tradition among potters.
“In the 1990s I worked as a production potter in the mountains of Northeast Georgia. It was there I was introduced to the face jug,” said Amedeo. “It was a long-standing tradition for potters to put a face on a jug at the end of a long day of making pots.”
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His work represents an evolution of the form over the course of his career.
“What I like about them now is the expressiveness,” he said. “I am not interested in replicating the human face. I don’t care if an ear looks like an ear, I am interested in the illusion of an ear. I do not want symmetry or realness in my faces.”
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Danielle was inspired by the “bold whispers of color that sweep through immaculate spaces,” in Cuba. Her photos “explore reflections as a metaphor and as a means to contextualize life in Cuba.” Taken during two trips to Cuba, one in 2012 and another in 2013, Danielle found herself captivated by the rich culture and its layers.
“From that first visit, there was one image I feel depicts the bittersweet feeling I have when I am in Cuba,” wrote Danielle in her artist statement. “As I walked past a storefront one afternoon, I noticed a woman sitting on a table next to a telephone. I noticed images of important Cuban historical figures hanging behind the woman and in the foreground I could see reflections of those passing by on the street. These layers seem to parallel the present situation in Cuba, for better or worse.”
Among works from Carter are a shelf that is part of his ‘Cloud Series,’ and ‘Mary 2,’ a sculptural clock made of walnut, maple, and branches. The clock is a functional sculpture and is painted with milk paint to depict a natural scene. “I’m drawn to the push and pull of nature and man and the conflict that ensues,” said Carter.
The shelf from the ‘Cloud Series’ is made of free edge walnut and reminds him of cloud formations. “After my father’s death two years ago I found myself looking at clouds, imagining him up there somewhere.” This is the third shelf in the series. In addition to these pieces Carter is also showing a lathe turned side table made of ebonized and painted poplar and cherry and an ebonized ash chair with a caned seat.
A longtime member of the George School faculty, Judy has more than 100 works of pottery on display. Her work represents a variety of little pieces and experiments.
“Ever since I started working in clay I have been attracted to little pieces and experimenting—making it one of a kind,” wrote Judy in her artist statement. “I love doing variations on a theme—I love the nuances of shape, texture, and color that come from the simple movement of a finger on the wet clay or the addition of a scratch or a bead.”
A collection of wood-fired pots that illustrate this ideal of experimentation and variation are
part of the exhibit.
“I want my epitaph to read: every day I touch clay is a better day for me, but the best part of clay, is sharing it with my students,” she said.
Jo found his home and his family rapidly changing after he arrived at George School in 2011.
“Sarah and I relocated to George School in August 2011. In September, I began the school year as the new painting and drawing teacher at George School and a new dorm hall teacher in Campbell,” wrote Jo in his artist statement. “Within the first week of school our son Kai was born and we became parents. Needless to say, 2011 was a transformative year when my family became my light and George School my home.”
His work shows images of his family and friends which reflect his light and home.
“These paintings, drawings, sketches, and studies are from my personal collection. Some works are new and some are old but I hope that all will reflect the gift of joy of being surrounded by family and friends.”
The exhibit will remain on display through February 14.
