CRAFT Gallery opens “Table Matters” on Friday, July 7. The show is dedicated to work created for utilitarian use in the presentation of food and also as non-utilitarian objects of artistic value, beauty and fantasy. The two featured artists share their artistic views on this subject in non-utilitarian ways.
Artist/sculptor Jacques Vesery’s work is nature-based, concerned with harmony, balance and form. His teapots ad spoons, hand carved in exotic woods, colored and gilded, become precious objects of art. His subjects suggest utility but are not intended for that purpose. The smallness in scale and richness in detail and finish express fantasy.
Artist Lissa Hunter’s charcoal drawings of spoons transcend their original purpose . They recall a time of formality when there was a a spoon for many purposes: tea, soup, grapefruit, etc. Her large scale drawings illustrate what happens during the creative process as she explores her subjects and transforms them from little importance as implements for use to fantasies of her imagination.
Both artists have impressive credentials. Portland artist Lissa Hunter’s work is in the permanent collections of The Museum of Arts and Design in New York and The Renwick/Smithsonian in Washington D.C. She has taught at Haystack and is a consistent exhibitor at CRAFT. Jacques Vesery, from Damariscotta, is a Maine Arts Commission Fellow. His work Is in the collections of The Yale University Art Gallery and The Carnegie Museum. He has lectured widely on his design concepts. This is his first exhibit at CRAFT
Other “table Matters” artists create utilitarian objects that are meant for use at the table. Wood carver Danielle Rose Byrd, potter Autumn Cipala, metalsmith Erica Moody and weaver Amy Smith show teapots and teacups, copper and brass spoons and chopsticks, placemats and table runners and hand carved birch bowls. CRAFT Gallery is located in the courtyard at 12 Elm Street in Rockland. Wind Ensemble will perform classical music in the courtyard during the evening of the July 7 First Friday Artwalk. For more information please call 207-594-0167 and visit www.craftonelm.com
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