Laura McLaughlin + Kevin Snipes | Flow: Recent Iterations in Clay

Laura McLaughlin + Kevin Snipes | Flow: Recent Iterations in Clay

Laura Jean McLauglin is a prolific artist, consistently producing quality ceramic works. Her works, while giving a passing nod to the humble platter and bowl, express a personal narrative through her graphic imagery and sense of color.

In Flow, there is a fair sampling of the colorful works that I have always appreciated. There is a bowl, Polka Vase, whose inside glowed with orange-y warmth. But I was really struck by her sculptures at Borelli Edwards. There were a few that I particularly liked, and they are included in the images at the end of this post.

I was particularly struck by Guerney for a Forest. The expression is enigmatic; the eyes aren't the same and you feel an intent regard. One eyebrow is raised, with an exaggerated arch that goes beyond mere doubt. The mouth is soft and belies the age of that wrinkled brow with its innocent youthfulness. It's an uneasy piece, with complex subtexts.

Included in the exhibit are a few collaborative works between McLaughlin and Bob Qualters. I've included an image below (titled Knowledge), and want to mention the there is a retrospective of Mr. Qualters' work at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts (closing April 20).

Flow continues through April 12 at Borelli Edwards Gallery in Lawrenceville.

Great Public Art In Braddock: Bob Qualters Murals

Had a fantastic visit to the Transformazium I need to post about. Every time I go, I notice more public art-most of which is very good.

These panels, are a few years old and were installed as part of what I think is new subsidised housing for seniors, right across from where the hospital was.

Look closely at the text around the borders and inside the pieces, full of memories and a strong sense of history and community.

I will be posting some more images, as well as a post about my transformazium visit, ASAP.

Robert Qualters @Borelli Edwards Gallery

Bob Qualter's work has always been a favorite of mine. His solo exhibit at Borelli Edwards is no exception. The work is highly detailed and layered, a real treat for the eye.

The exhibit is well documented on the gallery site. Hopefully, that will entice you to take a trip to the Larryville neighborhood.

Robert Qualters: Autobiographical Mythologies; A Life in Art
March 13-April 25, 2009
3583 Butler Street,
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
412.687.2606 or begalleries@mac.com
Tuesday - Friday 11 - 6 / Saturday 11 - 5

Bob Qualters continues to amaze me

Bob Qualters

Okay, so my camera isn't the best and sometimes my images leave something to be desired. I wanna tell ya, the above is from the Borelli Edwards Galleries site. The BE Galleries does not permit photography (seriously!) so even if I had gone back to my friend's car to retrieve my camera, it wouldn't have done any good. But this was a seriously amazing work by a long-established artist, Bob Qualters. I'm not even sure if the image is compelling enough to make someone seek out this Larryville gallery. If you do, it would be worth the trip. It has these strangely assembled layers, providing a very weird depth to the work. It is painterly and loose, a character that is cosistent throughout Bob Qualters work. I didn't note down the title of the piece, I'm afraid. Sometimes, titles can provide at least a glimpse into the inner workings of an artist's intention. I do know that this piece was incredibly more compelling in the gallery than it appears here in this scrappy little image.

While you are there, you might want to check out the Pittsburgh Print Group exhibit. Some works by Paula Klein and Sun Young Kang are presented. Both are accomplished artists, coming from entirely different perspectives. You can check out images from the PPG New Works exhibit on the BE site.

Borelli-Edwards Galleries
3583 Butler Street
Lawrenceville, PA 15201
412.687.2606 or begalleries@mac.com