Lynn Wartski
One of my favorite parts of our yearly featured artist shows at the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts occurs at the beginning of the day we install. It starts with each of us unpacking and un-crating the work that we have produced. What happens at that point is a mixture of art and magic in itself. Somehow, art by three separate artists in solitary studios starts to tell a harmonious story.
This year, I have the honor to show my art doll figures along side the sculptural paintings of Linda Carmel, and the textile creations of Alice Levinson. There is a level of complexity in the work of all three artists that truly invites the view to take a look “Up Close”. Obviously, it is a natural fit for a sculptor like me who creates art doll figures. The scale and level of detail of my work invites the viewer in. I want you to notice that one piece has purple shoelaces, or that another is actually holding a small file to sharpen the spear she holds. You will find many similar discoveries within Alice and Linda’s work as well.
My dolls for this show are all quite different. The only real common feature this year is an increased used of paperclay as my medium of choice for the heads and hands of my figures. I have in the past retained a tie to my earlier sculpture work in metals by always including some amount of copper in each piece. This year, I decided to free myself from that constraint. The end result is nine figures each with their own completely different story to tell, and each tale told with materials that make sense for that piece alone. I guess that now I must fully refer to my work as mixed media sculpture. I invite you to come in to the Hillsborough Gallery this month, and take a close look at each, and see what they say to you.
Hillsborough Gallery of Arts 