Two Sculptors in Two Dimensions

Exhibition Date: April 3 – April 28, 2012
Panel Discussion: April 14, 2-3pm
Exhibition Reception: April 14, 3-6pm

Two Sculptors in Two Dimensions
Donna Dodson and Andy Moerlein

Donna Dodson and Andy Moerlein are creative forces to be reckoned with, and 119 Gallery is pleased to rein a portion of their individual and collective energies into the gallery this spring. Two Sculptors in Two Dimensions is a multi-media look at the converging and diverging paths, sensibilities, and media of these two artists, whose work runs the gamut from monumental outdoor sculpture to intimate statues, and compositions. Energy and composure proliferate in Dodson’s and Moerlein’s individual and collaborative work.

Both sculptors in wood, Dodson and Moerlein began working together several years ago. Since that time, they have shared artistic goals to realize their individual and joint creative efforts. Energized by their merger, they have undertaken large, public works, as well as individual series of prints and sculptures with corresponding themes. Their jointly created outdoor moose sculptures of wood saplings can be viewed towering majestically in downtown Nashua and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This public art project was followed by simultaneous residencies by the artists in the Swiss Alps. In Verbier, Switzerland, Dodson and Moerlien each created their own monumental sculptures. Listening to nature and their intuition, their pieces are as much a part of their environment, as in it. At the same time, these sculptures are intrinsically connected to each artist’s own body of work.

The experimental nature of Dodson’s two dimensional works represents uncharted paths for the sculptor. Dodson’s totemic animal goddess sculptures result from the methodical decisions and actions she makes wielding chainsaw and chisel to shape the wood, while interacting with its grain to create her forms in a fluid fashion. Her spontaneous prints and drawings allow viewers a unique glimpse into her sculptural process. This series of abstracted animal figures reveals her process of using two-dimensional works to explore various possibilities of form and color normally restricted by sculptural materials.

The natural forces found in Moerlein’s sculptures and prints are universal and powerful. Using earthy and spiritual elements, his organic creations are vessels of personal symbolism. Upon close examination his message reveals stories of personal conflict and perseverance. Juxtaposing mass and color, his prints are tenuously balanced with the same finesse as his gravity challenging constructions. Suspended in tenuous and powerful arrangements, they remind us of the strength and frailty which we find in our lives and the universe.

The different approaches and shared paths of Dodson and Moerlein’s art reveal a mystical unity they channel from the cosmos, as well as from the natural and animal world. With attuned intuition and inspiration, their art is balanced in natural harmony. “Birds of a feather,” the artists take wing in divergent, intersecting, and parallel directions. They will host a panel discussion about collaboration, shared effort, and individual vision prior to the exhibit reception, on Sat April 14, at 2 pm.

Saturday April 14, 2pm
Panel Discussion: Collaboration

In conjunction with
Donna Dodson and Andy Moerlein
Two Artists in Two Dimensions

Reception to follow at 3pm

119 Gallery fosters innovative cooperation between artists, musicians, dancers, performers, video artists and creative thinkers. As part of Two Artists in Two Dimensions, the gallery is pleased to host several notable artists' teams, who will share images of their work and discuss their experiences as collaborators.

The panelists are: Margot Stage and David Crane; Rick Breault and Elaine Wood; Tim Winn and Zehra Kahn; Donna Dodson and Andy Moerlein. The moderator is Walter Wright.

The panel will consider these and other questions:
How does the team develop concepts?
How do you negotiate aesthetic decisions?
How do you manage work flow - responsibilities - labor?
What is your team's studio arrangement?
What are the advantages of collaborating?
What is the team's story?...and more

Donna Dodson and Andy Moerlein are creative forces to be reckoned with, and 119 Gallery is pleased to rein a portion of their individual and collective energies into the gallery this spring. Two Sculptors in Two Dimensions is a multi-media look at the converging and diverging paths, sensibilities, and media of these two artists, whose work runs the gamut from monumental outdoor sculpture to intimate statues, and compositions.

Dodson and Moerlein are exhibiting in Boston Sculptors Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary, in the University Gallery at UMASS Lowell, April 2 – 26. Reception: April 4, 5 – 7 pm.

Update: I wrote a summary of the panel discussion that was published on the Boston Globe's blog: Global Business Hub titled, Arts Collaborations: Greater than the sum of their parts and the audio recording of the panel discussion can be found here.

Images: Pandas III, 18"x24", monotype 2010, Panda Bear, 16" tall, wood, paint 2010

Boston Sculptors at UMass Lowell

BOSTON SCULPTORS CELEBRATES ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY April 2 - 26

Curated by Univ. MA Lowell (UML) professor Ellen Wetmore

Installation assistance by UML professor Jim Coates

Artist Reception and Gallery Talk with Gillian Christy: April 4, 5 - 7 pm

A Conversation with Nancy Selvage: April 23, 3-4:30 in O’Leary 222

Outdoor Exhibition continues through June 30
.

Lowell MA: The University Gallery at UMass Lowell is pleased to present a group exhibition of work by the Boston Sculptors. This exhibition highlights the variety of approaches to sculpture explored by 30 of the members and features an eclectic examination of materials and processes. The show includes works installed in the gallery and outdoors in the adjacent quad area. The Boston Sculptors is an artists’ cooperative whose founding members recognized in 1992 that there was a shortage of exhibition opportunities for sculpture in the Boston area. They set about to create more opportunities, in exhibition spaces, public galleries and in public art. What began as a series of conversations over dinner has, twenty years later, yielded two successful commercial galleries and numerous critically acclaimed shows.

Representative works from Massachusetts Cultural Council award-winning artists Laura Baring-Gould, Rosalyn Driscoll, Beth Galston, Mags Harries, Sarah Hutt, and Julia Shepley will be included as well as important works by B. Amore, Caroline Bagenal, Kim Bernard, Benjamin Cariens, Gillian Christy, Murray Dewart, Donna Dodson, Laura Evans, Sally S. Fine, Peter DeCamp Haines, Ken Hruby, David Lang, Michelle Lougee, Joyce McDaniels, Nancy Selvage, Jessica Straus, Marilu Swett, Dan Wills and Andy Zimmermann. Outdoor works are on view through June 30th and include work by Andy Moerlein, Margaret Swan, Hannah Verlin, Joseph Wheelwright and Leslie Wilcox. This show is offered in conjunction with the yearlong activities throughout New England to celebrate the group’s twentieth anniversary.

Curator Ellen Wetmore is an established artist who has been a member of the Boston Sculptors Group for over eight years. She works with a variety of materials and media, including sculpture, video, sound art, and interactive environments. Ellen joined the UML Art Department faculty in 2008 and teaches foundation courses.

Jim Coates has taught sculpture at UML for over 30 years. He’s an established artist whose site-specific work revolves around an interest in shelter forms (primitive, modern and contemporary) and their ephemeral relationship to the natural environment.

The Dugan Gallery in Dugan Hall hosts a coinciding companion exhibition of sculpture by the B.F.A. students enrolled in the Spring 2012 Sculpture class working under the direction of Prof. Coates.

The University Gallery at UMass Lowell is coordinated by the Art Department and funded by the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Funding for the outdoor exhibition provided by the Lowell Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. Additional funding provided by the Office of the Provost at UMass Lowell. All events are free, open to the public & handicapped accessible. Gallery Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 10 am - 7:30 pm, Fri. 11 am – 4 pm, Sat. by appt

Image: Tiger Frog, 25" tall, wood, paint 2006 by Donna Dodson

In the Grain

Sculptural and Functional Wood creations
April 1 - August 19th
Reception: Sunday, April 29th 3-6pm

Don't miss this unconventional, cutting edge exhibit focusing on the art of wood. Among this extraordinary collection of innovative useful, decorative and thought-provoking objects, "In the Grain" features sophisticated, highly-crafted works by many leading craftsmen and sculptors.

Artists:
Anne Alexander, Michael Alfano, David Belser, Peter Bloch, Jon Brooks, Dustin Coats, Jeff Cooper, Judith Cooper, David Crane, Michael Crocker, Stephan Fowlkes, Donna Dodson, Sharon Dugan, Tom Dunne, Dan Dustin, Deb Fanelli, Jon Garcia, Eric Grant, Gints Grinbergs, Steven Hayden, Linda Hoffman, David Hurwitz, David Leach, Wendy Lichensteiger, Bob Katz, John Magnan, William Martin, Stephen Mauren, JoHannes Michelson, Joseph Montroy, Clifford Moran, Andy Moerlein, Rogers Myers, Myrl Phelps, Suzanne Newbold, Scott Ruesswick, George Saunderson, Antoinette Prien Schultze, John Weidman, Jere Williams, and others.

Mill Brook Gallery & Sculpture Garden
236 Hopkinton Road, Concord, NH 03301
http://www.themillbrookgallery.com/

Images: Top to bottom, Elk Goddess, 32" tall, wood, paint 2004, Golden Lion, 36" tall, wood, paint 2007 by Donna Dodson

Update: Wednesday, May 23rd @ 7 p.m. Sculptors Donna Dodson & Andy Moerlein are presenting a fascinating artist's talk:

Donna Dodson has been carving images out of wood since 1996. Her sculptures explore feminine beauty and evoke humor and playfulness but also grace, power and emotional strength. Her unique vision responds to the relation of animals to the human spirit that have existed since ancient times.

'My work today seeks out eccentric branches, expressive trees, vivid grain, and uses the woven flow of growth and experience to trace my personal story. My work has many aspects - but wood, trees and the patterns they mark upon the landscape is a foundation of structure I depend on.' Andy Moerlein

Fountain Art Fair

Fountain is an exhibition of avant garde artwork in New York during Armory week, Miami during Art Basel Miami Beach and Los Angeles during Pacific Standard Time weekend. I will be exhibiting my work in New York with an Artist Collective: Donna Dodson, Stephan Fowlkes, Andy Moerlein and Mel Smothers

An exhibition known for its vibrant energy, focus on daring emerging art, and disregard for convention, Fountain Art Fair will take over the historic 69th Armory on March 9-11, representing today’s most cutting-edge independent galleries and artists.

Contemporary art gurus Artlog will kick off an unforgettable celebration at Fountain’s Public Opening Night Reception, Friday March 9 from 7-11pm, guest DJ’d by New York legend Fab 5 Freddy. On Saturday Fountain extends its hours until 11pm for a Saturday night party curated by our nonprofit partner Art for Progress with special performances to be announced.

Fountain Art Fair New York at the 69th Regiment Armory
March 9–11, 2012 | 68 Lexington Avenue at 25th Street

Hours & Special Events
Friday, March 9, 1pm–7pm: VIP & Press Preview
Friday, March 9, 7pm–11pm: Public Opening Night Reception: Fab 5 Freddy
Saturday, March 10, 1pm–7pm: General Hours
Saturday, March 10, 7pm –11pm: Art For Progress Presents: Performances TBA
Sunday, March 11, 1pm–7pm: General Hours

Fountain Art Fair was founded in 2006 to leverage support for smaller independent galleries to gain access to larger collectors and critics. Since its inception, Fountain has held six exhibitions in Miami, one in Chicago and Los Angeles, and is now celebrating its seventh exhibition in New York. From its roots deep within the independent Williamsburg art scene, Fountain has grown to represent over 30 international avant-garde galleries and projects.

Update: Artnet magazine's Rachel Corbett writes about MARCH ART-FAIR MADNESS IN NYC. Arts.Observer writes FOUNTAIN ART FAIR SHOWCASES AN ARRAY OF INDIE ARTISTS AND YOUNG GALLERIES. Artnet magazine's Walter Robinson writes Fountain Art Fair: FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH


Image: Elephant bride, 19" tall, wood & paint by Donna Dodson

Flock Together

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Donna Dodson: Flock Together
January 4 - February 5, 2012

Opening reception: Friday January 6, 5 – 8 pm
Gallery Talk: Saturday January 21, 3 – 5 pm
Closing Reception: Friday February 3, 5 – 8 pm
Gallery hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 12 pm – 6 pm

Boston, MA: Boston Sculptors Gallery is pleased to announce ‘Flock Together:’ Donna Dodson’s second solo exhibition of her iconic wood sculptures. This show presents sixteen different interpretations of a bird-headed female form.

In this series, Dodson is exploring the idea that similar types of people choose to congregate with other like-minded souls, even if the similarities are beneath the skin, feather or breed, and not immediately apparent or obvious to the viewer. This series started with Cardinal, as if women could hold high office in the Catholic Church. Further imaginings led to the creation of Little Red Riding Hood, who is anything but little; White Stork, who is carrying a baby in her tummy instead of her beak; and Culture Vulture, who is highly cultured, deeply ravenous and hollow- lurking on the edges of culture to fill up.

The history of bird-headed female figures is as ancient as the goddess herself. Oftentimes, the animal human hybrid is meant to represent the stages of life, birth, marriage and death. Are Dodson’s figures representations of the stages in a woman’s life: birth, childhood, loss of innocence, mating, maturity, motherhood, old age, and death? Or do her figures allude to subtler stages of psychological growth and maturation, i.e. paradigm shifts in consciousness: the Little Match Girl - tending to the fire within, Red Tail Hawk, a school marm - for whom nothing escapes her watchful eye, or Bantam Babe- who is dominant as only a grandmother or matriarch of a family can be.

In general, Dodson likes taking on a negative stereotype like ‘Mother Hen’ and inverting the meaning of the image or misconception to shine new light on the truth or deeper meaning of perceived reality. Included in the exhibition are the artist’s color and compositional studies in watercolor, pencil and ink. These inhabit a psychological space, rather than the physical space of her sculptures, and are quick studies that demonstrate further possibilities of Dodson’s ideas. Fluttering about the gallery, they offer a vivid contrast to the central formation of the flock.

Flock Together' will be shown concurrently with 'Avian Language' by Andy Moerlein.

Update: Artscope magazine featured Flock Together and Avian language in its recent email blast, and on its blog. Boston Globe's, Global Business Hub featured an article on the global reach of the local arts community, with a focus on my experiences.

Image: Culture Vulture II, 40″ wood, paint 2011