‘Surface Geographies’ Johnson City artist explores an altered point of view in Athens show
The title of Nancy Fischman’s current show in Athens, Tenn., offers a clue into the artist’s eclectic background: “Surface Geographies: An Altered Point of View.”
This collection of pottery by the Johnson City, Tenn., resident will remain on view at The Arts Center through Aug. 25.
Geography, rather than art, was Fischman’s college focus. She has an undergraduate degree in geography from Clark University in Massachusetts and earned a master’s degree in the same field from East Tennessee State University.
It was while she was studying for her master’s degree that she took pottery classes with Jonesborough, Tenn., potter Gary Gearhart. At age 60, she signed up for a class at ETSU with Don Davis and began to create pottery in earnest.
Study of several contemporary artists led her to Peter Voulkos and his dramatic clay constructions. She says she was especially intrigued by his use of distorted wheel-thrown work, which he altered and added onto.
She began experimenting with slab constructions, creating a series of bottle forms. With the use of molds to form the bases, she moved to building sculptural bowl forms that are also functional. She uses a variety of firing atmospheres for her stoneware pieces, various means to create surface patterns and multiple glazes to add surface interest.
Fischman says she takes inspiration from rock formations and stone circles, European tile roofs and golden rays swimming just under the surface of the ocean. Her most recent work uses aerial landscape patterns and electron micro-photographs of plant material as inspiration.
“I look for edges and lines connecting one surface to another,” she says in a news release. “I find interest in natural and man-made architectural forms, the way surfaces meet and intersect through planes and edges. My forms are constrained, yet loose — with nonsymmetrical shapes and unrefined rims.”
Fischman has exhibited in several group and individual shows. Cindy Saadeh Fine Art in Kingsport, Tenn., and the Museum Store at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, Va., carry her work.
Here are five more things to know about the artist.