Exhibitions, Events and Awards Metamorphosis

"When Women Were Birds #3", by Diane Kleiss. Encaustic, mixed media, cardboard, found objects 30 x 14 x 14 in. Best of Show

Metamorphosis

Tubac Center of the Arts

International Encaustic Artists recently partnered with the Tubac Center of the Arts in Arizona to present Metamorphosis, an internationally-juried exhibit of artworks created with encaustic, hot, or cold wax paints, in 2D and 3D. The exhibit opened on October 1st and will remain on view until November 14th at the TCA Main Gallery.

Artists were urged to enter work that is innovative in concept and approach, whether representational or abstract. Jurors Lisa Pressman and Susan Stover are nationally-recognized artists, whose own work pushes the boundaries of wax art, incorporating fabric, experimental mark making, and cultural fusion into their practices.

Karon Leigh, Artistic Director at the Tubac Center for the Arts, shared her thoughts on the logistics and scope of the exhibition. “We appreciate the opportunity to partner and collaborate with IEA for this timely and far-reaching exhibition. The artists represented are from 17 diferent states, Canada, Ireland, and Sweden. The work presents the variety and versatility of the media and materials, providing not only a visual delight to visitors, but also a truly educational experience.”

Although art is best experienced in person, Tubac Center of the Arts also provides a virtual web page, tubacarts.org/project/ metamorphosis for those unable to attend in person.

IEA is pleased to collaborate with the Tubac Center of the Arts in this significant internationally-juried exhibition, and we congratulate the artists whose work was chosen, both IEA members and non-members.

Lisa Pressman says, “I think the show reflects the variety of approaches that artists bring to these two media.” And Susan Stover adds, “The show illustrates the breadth of what artists are doing with encaustic and with oil and cold wax. The works incorporated printmaking, collage, photography, sculpture, and mixed media, as well as traditional approaches with each painting medium. It was exciting to see how both media complement each other and how the artists’ unique sensibilities were translated through their chosen medium.”

The exhibit’s “Metamorphosis” theme is a fitting metaphor for the rapidly expanding realm of encaustic and cold wax expressions. Much like an organism that has gone through a series of metamorphoses, this exhibition showcases the evolving possibilities of the world of wax-based art.

"Waiting for Michael II", by Karen Frey. Encaustic 16 x 12 x 1 in Award of Excellence

"Divergence", by Carrie Belk. Oil, cold wax, mixed media on wood panel 12 x 12 in. Award of Excellence

Cold wax, as well as encaustic, is well-represented in this show. Historically, a form of cold wax was used to create the famous “mummy portraits” unearthed at Fayum in Egypt, so it shares an ancient history with melted beeswax as a medium.

"Rebellion", by Cindy Walton. Oil, cold wax, waxed lined thread, arches oil paper on panel 16 x 16 x 3 in. Award of Merit

Three-dimensional pieces are also in evidence, often combined with other materials such as rusted metal, wood, and fiber.

"Mellow Yellow", by Mandi Ballard. Fiber, encaustic 8 x 10 x 10 in. Honorable Mention

"Shine", by Jessica Crouch. Encaustic, gold foil 36 x 24 x 2 in. Honorable Mention

Tubac Center of the Arts also hosted an exhibition of the work of the jurors, Lisa Pressman and Susan Stover, titled Visual Conversations, in the TCA Master Gallery. Lisa and Susan respond to each other’s work with an answer in their own work, a call and response, with groupings of works that seem to belong together to tell an abstract narrative.

Exhibition Dates: October 1 - November 14, 2021.

Jurors: Lisa Pressman and Susan Stover

Tubac Center of the Arts 9 Plaza Rd, Tubac, AZ 85646 (520) 398-2371

You can view Metamorphosis at tubacarts.org/project/metamorphosis

You can view Visual Conversations at tubacarts.org/project/visual-conversations

Lisa Pressman, Juror

Susan Stover, Juror

All rights reserved by the artists listed in this article.