Click play button above to see the video of Adelaide Paul Courtesy of Pew Fellowships in the Arts
DOWNSTAIRS:
March 5 – May 1, 2010
Coinciding with the 44th annual National Council for Education on the Ceramic Arts Conference in Philadelphia (March 31-April 3, 2010), Wexler Gallery proudly presentsThe Peaceable Queendom, an installation of new work by Philadelphia based sculptor Adelaide Paul in the main gallery space. The exhibition will run from March 5th through May 1st, 2010. *An opening reception with the artist will take place on First Friday, April 2nd, from 5-8pm.
Exploring the idea that American culture posits an alternately sentimental and callous relationship between humans and both domesticated and wild animals, Adelaide Paul’sThe Peaceable Queendom will include life-sized interpretations of animate beings such as mountain lions, dogs and horses. Having stated that “muscle is meat and, on great many levels, so are we,” the artist poses her animal subjects in provocative positions, often mirroring human characteristics and emotions. Working with both found and fabricated materials, such as taxidermy manikins and brightly colored leather, the artist’s most recent body of work begs the viewer to consider the relationship between the consumer, consumed, and consummated, evoking multiple possibilities as to just who is consumed.
In the artist’s own words:
“In this new body of work, the bodies are often segmented or fragmented. Some function more like taxidermy trophies then active participants in their environment. The horse regards his body, which stands there facing him. The mountain lion’s perch matches its resident in a kind of twist on camouflage, or perhaps the impulse to match one’s shoes to one’s purse. The three legged dog sings a silent aria that only other dogs can hear. It is a peaceable kingdom of sorts, albeit one filled with less then perfect occupants.”
Paul has a BFA from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University and an MFA from Louisiana State University. Her work can be found in the collections of The Museum of Art + Design, NYC, The Riverside Art Museum, CA, The Schein-Joseph International Museum of Ceramic Art, NY, and The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. She is the recipient of the PEW Fellowship in the Arts (2007), The Pennsylvania Council for the Arts Grant (2005), the Window of Opportunity Grant from the Leeway Foundation (2004 and 2002), a Residency at the Clay Studio in Philadelphia, PA (2001) and the PEW Fellowship in the Arts (2007). Paul currently lives and works in Philadelphia, PA.
Wexler Gallery is proud hostThe Hermaphrodites: Living In Two Worlds, a group show curated by Leslie Ferrin, owner of Ferrin Gallery in Pittsfield, MA. The exhibition will take place on the gallery’s second floor and will run from March 5th through May 1st, 2010. *An opening reception will take place on First Friday, April 2nd, from 5-8pm.
The Hermaphrodites: Living In Two Worlds will focus on figural sculpture that both embodies the literal definition of hermaphrodites (encompassing both genders) and the conceptual nature of the term as it applies to sculpture that can be categorized equally as contemporary fine art sculpture or decorative art. The exhibition will concentrate on contemporary artists working with ceramics, who also adopt other processes, materials, and techniques commonly found outside of their discipline.
“The artists in this exhibition produce sculpture that is categorically often confusing when placed in private or public collections. Depending on the curatorial mission of the institution or vision of the collector, works by these artists can be found in contemporary collections of fine art, decorative arts and even at times, design. The title of the show was chosen to first draw attention from its social meaning and then challenge its interpretation from various metaphorical perspectives.”
Located in downtown Pittsfield in the heart of the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, Ferrin Gallery is a national leader in the presentation of contemporary sculpture with a focus on narrative and social content by artists specializing in ceramics and mixed media. Established in 1979, the gallery presents changing exhibitions featuring contemporary art, photography and sculpture from throughout the region along with nationally known ceramic sculptors and studio potters. For additional information, please visit www.ferringallery.com.
Wexler Gallery is an internationally recognized gallery exhibiting the finest in art and design, located at 201 North Third Street in the historical district of Old City Philadelphia. The gallery is proud to showcase some of the world’s most esteemed artists working in the fields of contemporary glass, paintings, and design, along side emerging talent from these fields. For high resolution images or additional information, please contact Sienna@wexlergallery.com or call (215) 923-7030, or visit www.wexlergallery.com.
Wexler Gallery and Ferrin Gallery are honored to be working together to present this important exhibition during the 2010 NCECA Conference. For further information about The National Council for Education on the Ceramic Arts please explore www.nceca.net or call 1-866-266-2322.
