In Balance: Wood & Metal
May 1 – July 18, 2009
(Wood Turning Center, Philadelphia, PA) The Wood Turning Center is pleased to announce the May 1, 2009, opening of its latest exhibition In Balance: Wood & Metal, which will run at the Center through July 18, 2009 and in conjunction with the Society of North American Goldsmith (SNAG) annual conference May 20 - 23. This exhibition showcases 5 American artists who blend two mediums - wood & metal. Bringing harmony to natural materials and manmade fabrications, this exhibition shows the delicate nature and strength of both mediums when joined together.
In his early teens, William Moore was taught to turn wood on a lathe by his mother. In the mid 1980’s, Moore began integrating materials such as fabric, ceramic, and metal within his wood sculptures. His work reflects his infatuation with sphere-shaped forms and ultimately exposing the interiors to the viewer. Moore says the metal used in his work is not ornamental but rather completes his compositions.
Michael Chinn uses wood and metal to create physical balance. Over decades, his modern elements have worked together to suspend gravity. Robyn Horn, a veteran wood artist, now balances texture and muted color in her wood and metal sculptures. Ornate, patterned textures on the wood surfaces are complemented and enriched by shaped steel counterparts.
Todd Hoyer’s sculptures at first seem to be reconstructed segments of wood held together by wire. Hoyer begins and ends with an intact piece of wood. Wrapped wire creates tension and texture as it defines the subtle natural forms. Hoyer begins with the organic nature of wood and ends with geometric forms and deep expressions. Mark Nantz, a meticulous maker, creates classically shaped wood forms and embeds silver and gold to create precious other worldly artifacts.
Artists - In Balance: Wood & Metal:
Michael Chinn, WA
Robyn Horn, AR
Todd Hoyer, AZ
William Moore, OR
Mark Nantz, CT
The Wood Turning Center
At its Old City, Philadelphia location, the Center features international contemporary wood art in changing exhibits, a permanent collection showing the breadth of the wood art field, a research library, and an eclectic mix of merchandise in the Museum Store. The Center is open Tuesday – Friday, 10am – 5pm and Saturday 12pm – 5pm. Admission is free. Donations support the Center’s educational mission. For more information, please call 215-923-8000, email
or visit www.woodturningcenter.org.
Programming at the Center is supported in part by generous funding from the following Foundations, Sponsors and Cambium Circle Members: Joel Assouline, Lee Bender, Fleur Bresler, Bruce and Eleanor Heister, Henry Jordan, Neil and Susan Kaye; Bruce Kaiser, Deena and Jerome Kaplan, Stephen C. Keeble and Karen Depew, Tim and Sheryl Kochman, Len and Norma Klorfine, Alan LeCoff, Albert and Tina LeCoff, Ed Levy, Judson Randall, Greg and Regina Rhoa, Norton Rockler, National Endowment for the Arts; Pennsylvania Council on the Arts; Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission; Philadelphia Cultural Fund; anonymous foundation, and Friends of the Wood Turning Center. Corporate Sponsors include Oneway Manufacturing, Packard Woodworks, Penn State Industries, rakovaBRECKERgallery, and Stubby Lathe USA, Inc.
The Wood Turning Center participates in First Friday Openings in conjunction with the Old City Arts Association
The Wood Turning Center is a nonprofit art and educational organization whose mission is the encouragement and enhancement of individuals creating art from wood and other materials with a primary focus on turned and carved wood objects, and promoting public appreciation of such art.
Contact: Ron Humbertson
Email:
Images available upon request
###
Note: For additional information on hours of operation and directions please click here. Admission to retail stores is free. Additional cost may be required to visit galleries & museums.
