April/May: Lisa Pedolsky, "Connecting the Dots"

“Connecting the Dots”, an exhibition of new ceramic work by artist Lisa Pedolsky, opens at Plinth Gallery on April 5th.  Pedolsky, who owns “Two Fish Studio” in Durango, CO, started her studies in ceramics at California College of Arts and Crafts, then graduated from University of California at Berkeley with a degree in Fine Art. Initially working in mixed media and book arts, Pedolsky returned to ceramics after realizing she was a “designer and constructor of ceramic objects.”

Pedolsky’s ceramic forms are built from flat slabs of terra-cotta clay. Her work begins as a paper drawing as the basis for the three-dimensional object. She fashions precise patterns for each part used to build the piece. This method of deconstructing a complete form into its many components is similar in process to dressmaking or package design. Once the form is constructed, it is decorated with many layers of colored ceramic materials that are ultimately scraped, carved, or incised revealing the underlying textures. Lisa investigates design and technical aspects as they are applied to the important parts of her craft: form, function, and decoration.

Lisa Pedolsky’s exhibition, “Connecting the Dots” opens on First Friday, April 5^th, with an artist reception from 6-9pm, including a presentation and brief overview of work by the artist.  This exhibition will be on display through June 1, 2013. 

On April 6-7, Lisa will instruct a two-day workshop in the Plinth Gallery studio.  Additional information is on our workshop page.

March: Jonathan Kaplan, "Divertimento"

For our March exhibition, Plinth Gallery presents “Divertimento”, new ceramic work by artist Jonathan Kaplan. Kaplan is the owner and curator of Plinth Gallery and has been active in the field of ceramics for over 40 years as an artist, designer, author, and educator.

Building on the 2011 exhibition, “Prelude” at Plinth and most recently, “Ceramic Forms” at Laramie County Community College, Kaplan continues to explore the textured slab and his signature use of industrial parts and fittings in this new body of work. The pieces in “Divertimento” reflect his interpretation of the theme of parts and wholes, or what Kaplan refers to as “the combination of singular objects combined to make complex forms.”

Incorporating wheel thrown, hand-built, and press-molded ceramic parts, Kaplan builds both sculptural and functional vessels including large basins, condiment sets, serving pieces and teapots. His deft use of industrial parts such as phenolic ball knobs, metal handles, shaft collars, and coated cable provides both a visual and structural counterpoint to the ceramic form and surface. In addition, his bird and fish forms appear, as seen previously in his “Nouveau Moche” series as well as his  “Plinthed Vessel Series”.

Jonathan says of this exhibition, “My Neo-Industrial Art Objects” series from 1998-2003 is really the basis for this continued exploration of integrating industrially manufactured parts with clay.  It is always a challenge to develop a complete form using these perfectly manufactured industrial fittings with ceramic materials. I use a double textured or patterned slab in some pieces to provide a springboard for a multitude of ideas.”

"Divertimento" opens at Plinth Gallery on First Friday, March 1, with an artist reception from 6-9pm.  Light refreshments will be served and we hope you will join us!  The exhibition runs through March 30th.