One-of-a-kind clay art at Carlton Gallery
‘Sculpture’ by Jayne Harris
Carlton Gallery celebrates the season with its 30th anniversary
Winter Group Exhibition, featuring a variety of art in paintings, glass, wood, clay, sculpture,
fiber and fine jewelry.
“The vast and varied collection from the gallery’s many local,
regional and national artists is a visual delight,” gallery owner Toni Carlton said.
A “Small
Works” exhibition, along with the “2012 Figurative Abstractions” exhibit by Warren Dennis, add to
this month’s seasonal offerings.
The gallery has an eclectic collection from local and
regional artists working in clay whose designs include functional, hand-crafted pottery in mugs,
baking casseroles, butter dishes, plates and bowls, as well as goblets, pitchers, vases and sponge
holders. Each piece of functional pottery is oven-, microwave- and dishwasher-safe and can be
enjoyed for many years.
One-of-a-kind clay pieces abound at the gallery from artists Joe
Edwards, Nancy Lewis, John Turner and Jayne Harris.
Joe Edwards creates sculptural clay
torsos to show the classic beauty of the female. He hand-paints his designs to enhance the form and
highlight texture. Edwards’ “Apple Love” and “Golden Pear” sculptures are whimsical conversation
pieces, Carlton said, which exemplify his creativity.
Local potter Nancy Lewis
handcrafts tall vases with inlaid designs of rhododendron, dragonflies, iris pods and ginkgo leaves.
Her vases begin at 18 inches tall and go up to 3 feet tall. Many of Lewis’s vases can be converted
into lamps.
John Turner’s vessels, bowls and wall-hanging plates are raku with copper glazes
in iridescent colors, which change into specific patterns when light reflects on them. Each of his
handcrafted pottery bears his distinctive circles and small dots in their design.
The gallery’s new clay artist, Jayne Harris, creates sculptures Carlton described as
“connected to the Earth and beyond.”
“Her work has an energy and dreamlike quality, which
evokes curiosity and a feeling of connection on a deep level to all beings,” she said. “Her
techniques in working and firing the clay involve the use of different materials to achieve her
creative vision.”
After a hand injury forced Harris to switch from woodcarving to clay, she
discovered she loved her new medium. It lets her pretend to be in charge, said Harris, who admitted
she laughs when holding a sculpture she never consciously planned.
“As a clay sculptor, I
find my hands frequently shaping female figures and faces, often in association with tree forms and
animals,” Harris said. “This triangle of plant, animal and human constitutes narrative shorthand
that addresses cross-cultural issues of growth and decay. With these forms as symbols, I attempt to
express my concern for our planet and my hope and fear for its inhabitants.”
Carlton
Gallery’s 30th anniversary Winter Group Exhibition and “Small Works” exhibition continue through
April 30, while “2012 Figurative Abstractions” runs through Dec. 31.
Carlton Gallery is
located 10 miles south of Boone and seven miles north of Linville on N.C. 105 in the Grandfather
Mountain Community. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on
Sunday. For more information about the gallery, artists or workshops, call (828) 963-4288 or visit
http://www.carltonartgallery.com.
Gallery Times
Gallery Times is a weekly news feature of The Mountain Times, featuring short news items submitted by local galleries.
For more information or to make a submission, contact editor Frank Ruggiero at (frank@mountaintimes.com) or (828) 264-6397.
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