“Out of the Blue 1 & 2,” clay. (Photo by Michaelann Tostanoski)
Oyster Bay Historical Society hosts ‘Blue’ art exhibit
Artists working in fiber and clay express their ideas about blue in all its shades and contexts in an exhibit that runs from March 7 to May 7 at the Koenig Center of the Oyster Bay Historical Society, presented by Long Island Craft Guild Fiber and Clay Media groups. The public is invited to meet the artists at a reception on Sunday, March 19, from 3 to 6 p.m.
This exciting work, both functional and sculptural/decorative, includes ceramic trays, hand-dyed coats, bowls, vases and boxes, as well as felted and quilted wall pieces in cobalt, indigo, slate blue, turquoise and more.
(Photo by Jonathan Zamet)
Exhibition juror Judith S. Schwartz, Ph.D., is a professor at New York University and Head of Sculpture: Craft Media Area. She is a curator and author of national and international exhibitions and articles on contemporary ceramics, and author of Confrontational Ceramics. Her statement served as a starting point for the artists: “The concept of ‘Blue’ with its rich cultural and historical roots for both fiber and clay beckons associations with ancient civilizations of Egypt, India and Asia. There is no more royal a color. Nature provides indigo for fiber and cobalt oxide for clay. . .Its popularity has not waned. In contemporary art, blue-and-white color motifs are reimagined in every medium.”
In addition to the reception, two artists will speak about cobalt and indigo in clay and fiber on Sunday, April 23, from 2 to 4 p.m. Ceramic artist Sin-Ying Ho will speak about the glories of Chinese blue and white wares and how her work explores the “collision of cultures,” where she combines traditional Asian hand-painted imagery with the use of new technologies such as computer-generated decals. Fiber artist Bernadette Puleo started her journey of exploration of the mysterious Polygonum Tinctorium, or Japanese Indigo, when she ordered some indigo seeds in 2002. She will discuss both the process of vat dyeing with indigo and how she embeds her dyed cloth in pulp to create pulp paintings and experiments with shibori techniques to make resist patterns on silk.
“Blue Chair,” fiber
upholstery, wood (Photo by Nancy Yoshii)
Other activities connected with the exhibition include a “Blues & Brews” event on Thursday, April 6, from 5 to 7 p.m, and a panel discussion featuring some of the exhibiting artists at the closing reception on Sunday, May 7, from 3 to 6 p.m. The Historical Society is at 20 Summit St. in Oyster Bay. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. For more information or directions, call 516-922-5032 or visit www.oysterbayhistorical.org.
The Long Island Craft Guild is committed to the development of the crafts movement, and seeks to promote the exchange of information and experiences that will benefit both artists and the community. Membership in the guild is open to all people interested in the creation and exhibition of fine craft. The LICG is an independent, nonprofit educational organization. Since 1956, the guild has provided educational and informational services, regular meetings and workshops, and a sense of community among crafts people. More information is on www.licg.org.
—Submitted by the
Long Island Craft Guild
