Show exposes emerging Ohio artists to public, gallery owners
For a group of gifted young artists, a new exhibit at the Ohio Craft Museum represents a chance to be seen.
“In the Forefront: Emerging Ohio Artists” gathers works by 27 artists on the cusp of their careers; each is 35 or younger and received either a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an Ohio college or university.
“We want to give young artists coming out an opportunity to show in a museum setting,” said museum director Betty Talbott, who asked professors in craft disciplines to suggest names of artists to include.
For museum visitors, the exhibit might prove equally rewarding by offering something of a preview of coming attractions for those who work in craft mediums.
“It gives the public a chance to see the talent — and the upcoming talent — that’s here in Ohio,” Talbott said. “Besides the general public, we also get curators and gallery owners ... exposure to these new, fresh faces that are out there trying to get established.”
Indeed, exhibit attendees aren't likely to be disappointed by the crop of talent represented in the show.
Among the many highly original offerings on display is an untitled wood-and-glass installation by Matt Takacs. The work presents 10 circular objects hanging from the museum ceiling or placed on top of shelving underneath; resembling oversize Christmas tree ornaments, the balls feature curved sections of colored glass connected to wooden bases.
Striking, too, are Dan Molyneux’s misshapen sculptures: “Twisted Bottle,” in porcelain, and “Twisted Shino Vase,” in stoneware, suggest containers that have been pulled and twisted like Silly Putty before assuming their final form. The works’ rough textures surprise and delight.
Considerably less rugged are Michael Hric’s works in glass, which present contrasting colors within a single, smoothly contoured shape. “Aspire,” for example, resembles a life-size piece of candy corn with its yellow top and clear bottom.
Unusual materials are found throughout the show.
Michaela Monterosso’s “Industrialized Agency” presents a tower consisting of sections of laminated cardboard anchored by four steel rods. At the very top is a basket, also made of cardboard. Meanwhile, Drew LaVercombe’s “Intersecting Straws” arranges dozens of recycled plastic straws into an elaborate piece of neckwear — not a bad way to extend the life of the remnants of your fastfood meals.
Just as unlikely are Michael Nashef’s variations on eyeglass-frame designs. In the artist’s “Brick by Brick We Will Rebuild Eyewear,” in cement, brass and acrylic, the lenses resemble windowpanes and the sides seem to be made of rows of tiny bricks. Charity Thomas’ “Deckle Box” resourcefully recreates the top of a library card catalog (remember those?). A wooden box is affixed to the wall on its side, with slips of uneven-edged white paper facing the viewer.
Other works are more traditional, including Jennifer Cole’s appealing earthenware pitcher and platter, each decorated with floral patterns.
On the other hand, Alison Fawcett’s porcelain “TwoTiered Vase” splits the difference: At first glance, the vase appears ordinary, but the placement of the handles at the middle of the vessel is surprising, as is the distance of the handles from the long, narrow spout.
Befitting an exhibit that emphasizes the gifts of emerging artists, the work — like so many others on view — teems with creativity.