Art Teacher Celebrates Master’s with Exhibit

Blair art teacher Kate Sykes celebrates the conclusion of her master’s degree with a show in the Romano Gallery, now through November 1. She recently enjoyed an artist’s reception on October 9.

Kate’s exhibit features works in clay and glass, as well as photographs. In her artist’s statement, she notes, “I use clay to explore various surfaces and forms that are inspired by nature. I find the process of using a transformative material like clay full of endless possibilities; it appears paper-thin yet strong, solid yet stressed, and sturdy – even as it is tearing. I use the firing process raku because it mimics the coloring of nature. The way the air and smoke hit the pieces when they are being fired provides opportunities for great variation and more flowing swaths of color.”

Kate added, “Many times, natural processes are also on my mind when I am manipulating the clay; occurrences such as death, birth, growth, contraction, expulsion, molting and seeding are evident in the final outcome. The work is inherently biomorphic; it resembles what one might come across if looking in a tidal pool, an abandoned garden, on the forest floor, or even under a microscope. Viewers will be intrigued by the play of familiar versus alien as the lines between the real and imaginary worlds are blurred. I hope viewers will discover and recover a bit of their own experience in nature by looking at my art work.”

Pictured are examples of Kate’s art. Click on images to view larger.

Updated 10/13/08

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