2009 – Houston Center for Contemporary Craft

rock, scissors, paper

HCCC — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:20:29 +0000

rock, scissors, paper features the work of five artists (from the U.S., England, and Taiwan) who use commercially printed found paper in their work. From cutting to folding, stitching, layering and collage, Claire Brewster, Renata Lucia, Inca Pan, former HCCC resident artist Lisa Qualls, and Wonil Suh use found pages, scraps, and prints in their work—sometimes as the sole material and sometimes as an element. Using found papers as a visual element or a social commentary began in the early 20th Century and is used more and more often, as artists recycle and reuse cast-away papers from their environment. Come see how these artists have created installations, quilts, illustrations, and even clothing with paper.

Texas Masters Series: Rachelle Thiewes

HCCC — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:20:08 +0000

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft is proud to present a solo exhibition of work by Rachelle Thiewes, a jeweler, metal artist and professor of metal arts at the University of Texas at El Paso. Recently named HCCC’s 2009 Texas Master, Thiewes has created several bodies of work that have made an instrumental difference to the field of art jewelry. Like no other artist working today, Thiewes takes into account the movement of the body and how a piece of jewelry might impact, or be impacted, by movement. Visitors will be wowed by the array of metal jewelry that ranges from stunning, kinetic earrings to multi-functional brooches and bold bracelets made from steel and color-shifting auto paint.

Celebrating Our Creative Spirit: Texas Federation of Fiber Artists

HCCC — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:19:48 +0000

The Texas Federation of Fiber Artists invited all fiber and textile artists living in the state of Texas to apply to this exhibition, which was juried by celebrated textile artist Tim Harding. Visitors can expect to see a wide range of exceptional fiber art—including quilts, embroidery, collage, tapestry, sculpture and much more. Over 90 pieces were selected from 225 submissions. The art works were judged on criteria such as craftsmanship; compelling visual quality; and unity of overall form among the different components, such as material, technique, scale, imagery, color, texture, and composition.

Omar Angel Perez: Stilett”O”s

HCCC — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:19:29 +0000

Stop by the Artist Hall to see the most fabulous stilett”O”s you’ve ever seen! Houston artist and woodworker, Omar Angel Perez, has created impossibly sexy, sky-high platform shoes from turned wood and accents such as band saw blades, snakeskin, leather, feathers and Swarovski crystals. His playful pieces explore the sadistic world of any fashionista’s shoe fetish. Perez says, “As an expression of appreciation, I offer my gratitude to all women who endure the torture of wearing such heels. Your sacrifice does not go unnoticed.” Shoe and woodworking lovers alike will swoon.

Challenge VII: dysFUNctional

HCCC — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:18:59 +0000

Challenge VII: dysFUNctional showcases contemporary wood art, sculpture, photos, installation art, and videos and that subvert and satirize function. Artists from all over the world were asked to explore and interpret ideas of function and dysfunction in this dynamic juried show. The works presented evoke a sense of humor, fun, curiosity and suspicion—ranging from a prickly chair to a set of dinosaur-like spoons and many other imaginative creations.

Unknitting: Challenging Textile Traditions

HCCC — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:18:36 +0000

Unknitting: Challenging Textile Traditions highlights the work of four artists who are advancing and questioning established textile traditions: Adrian Esparza, from El Paso, Texas; Rachel Gomme, from London, England; Mark Newport, from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; and Sandra Valenzuela, from New York City, New York. By addressing stereotypes of gender and challenging the domestic-based, utilitarian objects that are typical of the knitted crafts, the work of these artists completely upends tradition.

In Residence 2008

HCCC — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:18:13 +0000

Curated by Gwynne Rukenbrod, HCCC Curator of Fine Craft, In Residence 2008 showcases new and recent works in a variety of media by Houston Center for Contemporary Craft’s 2008 Artists-in-Residence. Featured artists include Jay Calder, Barbara Kile, Hyo-in Kim, Kim Ritter, John Paul Van Domelen, Laura Viada, and Lynn Williams.

Literally Figurative

HCCC — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:17:47 +0000

Literally Figurative focuses on the many aspects of the human figure—complex, beautiful, humorous, and quirky—as depicted by several craft artists through works made from ceramic, fiber, glass, metal, wood, or mixed media. These whimsical and offbeat objects are sure to delight the viewer, while they demonstrate the conceptual and non-functional side of contemporary craft. The show is HCCC’s first curated invitational exhibition.

The artists featured in Literally Figurative included Jennifer Barnds, a Houston-based glass artist; Beth Beede, a felt maker from Northampton, Massachusetts; Juliellen Byrne, a ceramist from Columbus, Ohio; Tod Pardon, an enamellist and mixed-media artist from Saratoga Springs, New York; Marlene Rose, a glass sculpture artist from Clearwater, Florida; Susan Shie, a quilter from Wooster, Ohio; Christina Smith, a silversmith from Fullerton, California; Blanka Sperkova, a sculptor and jeweler who works with knitted wire, from the Czech Republic; and Joël Urruty, who creates figurative sculpture and furniture from wood and bronze, from Hickory, North Carolina.

Wendy Wagner Whimsies

HCCC — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:17:24 +0000

Wendy Wagner is a Houston artist who has recently garnered several awards (including the prestigious 2008 Hunting Prize of Art) for her whimsical and surreal works in a variety of media—including paintings, ceramic sculpture, soft toys and animation. Known for her out-of-this-world pastel color palette and quirky characters, Wendy says, “As with all of my work, there is a lighthearted curiosity and silliness. I am rewarded, however, and amazed by how my subconscious mind continually communicates through the process of creating art.”

Whimsies showcases Wendy’s latest ceramic pieces, as well as paintings, drawings and soft toys. To learn more about Wendy Wagner, visit www.wendywagner.com.

Texas Turned: Gulf Coast Woodturners

HCCC — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:17:03 +0000

Texas Turned features a fine display of turned wood pieces created by members of the Gulf Coast Woodturners Association (GCWA). All pieces were selected by HCCC Curator of Fine Craft, Gwynne Rukenbrod.

Members of the GCWA include hobbyists, amateurs, craftsmen and professionals in the Houston area who exchange knowledge, information, assistance and encouragement in developing and refining their woodturning skills. The organization is an affiliate of the American Association of Woodturners, the largest organization in the world dedicated to the advancement of woodturning. For more info on GCWA, visit https://gulfcoastwoodturners.org/index.html.