Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Unpacking the Shadow Art Exhibition



Dear Art Lover,
     Last year my friend and fellow sculptor Lorri Acott invited me to create a submission for a project she dreamed up.  I am not really into the whole “women’s art show” thing, but the older I get, the crankier I get about rudeness.  And thus, Lorri caught me at time when my life was starting to get some stability and it was also shortly after I had worked with Artesimia, a battered women’s shelter in Florence, Italy. 

     I think some realities there hit me pretty hard, especially since in my own childhood, it was often women who kept other women “in line.”  I struggled with that a lot as a young adult when I found myself living my first year at university in a female-only dorm.  Having been raised with three brothers and lots of fighter pilots, I once called my mother long-distance and cried to her that I could not understand females and felt out of my element.  Years before, my own well-intentioned mom had actually told me, “Don’t smile so big; your lips get thinner and are less appealing.”  She was probably told that herself by someone when she was a runway model.  Insecurities:  the gifts that keep on giving.

     Opening TODAY:  In any event, my contribution to the “Unpackingthe Shadow” exhibition focused on the above topic.  But not all of the art submissions were so heavy or even traditionally serious topics.    This was an interesting collection of female artists with very human desires in a variety of subjects.  I hope that you may see the exhibition, even if only online.   [In the photo, my piece is the image in the upper right corner.]

Denver, Colorado area:  Lakewood Cultural Center
470 S Allison Pkwy, Lakewood, Colorado 80226
Exhibit runs January 3-31, 2017 in the Corner Gallery
Opening reception is January 12, 2017, 5-7 p.m.

Selected Artwork Unpacking the Shadow Women Art Exhibition Denver Colorado
Selected Artwork Unpacking the Shadow Women Art Exhibition
Details
     Please join us for a bold, thought-provoking exhibit that features 50+ original works created by women, presented together at a time that feels especially poignant for female voices to be heard and recognized.

      Lakewood Cultural Center is pleased to present “Unpacking the Shadow,” a collaborative group exhibition conceived and compiled by sculptor Lorri Acott that explores the idea of how women rediscover, explore, and reintegrate important aspects of themselves that, throughout their lives, have been carefully removed and “hidden away.”

      This exhibit features more than 50 miniature pieces—no larger than 3" cubed and accompanied by mini-essays— that were selected from submissions by women from all walks of life and from around the world. These small expressions of intimate aspects represent what each participant hopes to rediscover in her life. The works are as diverse as sculpture, found objects, photography, painting, and mixed media.

      "And if we have put away so many of our angers, spontaneities, hungers, enthusiasms, our rowdy and unattractive parts, then how can we live? What holds us together?” 
- Robert Bly (excerpt from "The Long Bag We Drag Behind Us")


Lakewood Cultural Center
470 S Allison Pkwy, Lakewood, Colorado 80226
Exhibit runs January 3-31, 2017 in the Corner Gallery
Opening reception is January 12, 2017, 5-7PM


Sunday, January 1, 2017

Compatibility Couple Sculpture Live Models


Dear Art Lover,
Artist Kelly Borsheim sculpts nude couple during live model session art
    Well, it is now past the dawn of a new day, but not the eve or the dawn of the next day!  I do believe that every kindness we do adds to our collective energies and a better life for everyone.
   Today I want to celebrate love (again).  In the couples Open Studio sculpting sessions I mentioned yesterday that I held in the drawing room of the AVAA (Austin Visual Arts Association in Austin, Texas, USA), I also hired one of my favorite models at the time.  I loved how she used her hands during her short poses, especially.  She invited her husband to model with her.  That was amazing since as I commented in yesterday’s post, it is a lot to ask for two models to touch in an intimate way for long periods of time.

    It was a wonderful time we artists had with our models.  They both said it was quality time for them, as well, since they hardly slow down in their lives.  They found this comforting and a good experience for them to be together in this way.

Compatibility Couples Art Sculpture Clay Terra-cotta original art
Compatibility - terra-cotts sculpture of snuggling couple


     The two images of me sculpting with our models was taken by a friend of mine, Carol Schumacher of Bastrop, Texas, who was doing her own sculpture on the other side of the models.  I did the crop and added the little modesty color.  I always insist that artists ask the models before taking any photographs.  I prefer that they do it in private and BEFORE the day they want the photos.  I am a bit of a model advocate and also, I am a shy person.  Sometimes when confronted with a question one was not expecting, it takes time to think a bit to figure out how one really feels before giving an answer.  I also do not like the models to be asked in front of other people because she (or in this case, they) may not mind one person taking images, especially if she knows that person… but it could open the door to bunches of cameras… in my mind, permission for one is not necessarily permission for all.  I prefer for the model to have full control over these sorts of issues.
Two live mude models post as couple for Compatibility sculpture
Kelly Borsheim sculpts couple during Open Studio - Texas
   While I made and sold one bronze of this composition to a couple in Oregon, here is the original clay version.  It is available via Franklin Barry Gallery in Indianapolis.    Contact gallery owner Don Elliott at Don theframeshopindy@aol.com or just respond to this post and I will help you receive this artwork and feel the love.

Compatibility detail Couples Art Sculpture Clay Terra-cotta original artCompatibility (original A/P)
8.5" h x 13" x 10"
terra-cotta
$1200 (US)

     If you like, please have a look at some more of my sculpture online here:
and again, welcome to 2017.

Peace,

Kelly

P.S.  Subscribe to the art newsletter here (it is FREE):  http://www.borsheimarts.com/contact.htm


Compatibility Couples Art Sculpture Clay Terra-cotta original art
Compatibility - terra-cotta [fired clay] sculpture original art