The earliest known figurative drawings date back over 30,000 years and many artists through the centuries have focused on the human figure. The Art Cellar Gallery is presenting three contemporary artists and their individual interpretation of the human figure in the current show, “Speaking Figuratively,” on display July 15-25.
The walls of the feature gallery will show the newest figurative acrylic-on-canvas paintings by artist Tim Turner.
In a world of visual stimuli, Turner’s figurative paintings emerge as a fresh and exciting glimpse into the human condition and psyche. Although not painted from photos or real life, these figures could have easily posed for a snapshot; capturing a moment in time, a vacation, class reunion or a family mountain hike. Turner states that his figurative paintings are “not about the exactness of things. Sometimes their chins are a bit long, their foreheads a bit short, but they have good attitudes for the most part and they smile a lot. They are just everyday people doing everyday things.”
Atlanta artist Jane Jaskevich’s figurative works bring in a rich array of stones and range from pedestal scale to free standing floor pieces that incorporate wood, stone and metal.
Jaskevich begins her sculptures by carving away from the figure’s face, creating the proportions of the face and/or head to control the size of the finished piece. She creates her surreal sculptures out of several different types of stone, wood and found objects. Her most recent series of large sculptures feature cypress knees, marble, alabaster and other stones. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Georgia and spending some time abroad in Italy carving marble. Her sculptures are, “born out of the material,” she states that sometimes she feels more like a midwife than a creator.
Artist Lisa Joerling’s hand-built clay figurative sculptures are filled with texture, color and wonder. These three artists individual works are very different, but their personal exploration of the human figure continues the centuries of exploration into ourselves, the human form and a human expression.
Joerling is new to the Art Cellar Gallery this year and, for more than a decade, she has been a studio artist working in clay, metals and jewelry. Her hand formed clay figures, that are on display now at the Art Cellar Gallery, are best described as whimsical and dreamlike, pulling inspiration from the local flora and fauna of the mountains. They feature a unique blend of color, texture and subject matter. Some range from more realistic in composition to more fantastical, all telling their very own story.
Turner will be featured at this week’s coffee talk on Saturday. Join us as this well known North Carolina artist shares insight into his artistic inspirations and process in creating the featured figurative works as well as his other abstracts on canvas. The coffee talk will be from 10 a.m. to noon and is a relaxed and inspiring opportunity to talk with the artist and enjoy a morning coffee and sweets while exploring this newly installed exhibition.
The Art Cellar Gallery is located in Banner Elk. Regular hours are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.. For more details and the full season schedule, please contact the Art Cellar Gallery at 828-898-5175 or visit artcellaronline.com.
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