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Š 2014 Lillstreet Art Center 4401 N Ravenswood Ave Chicago, IL 60640 Artwork Š the artists. Photographs by the artists, Guy Nicol, Larry Sanders, and Joe Tighe. Designed by Jess Mott Wickstrom. Edited by Tracey Morrison. Exhibition: January 24 - March 2, 2014. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, or by any electronic or mechanical means, without permission in writing from Lillstreet Art Center. Cover image: Heejin Hwang, Sensuality II
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INTRODUCTION
“Sense of Scale: Metal Sculpture and
are shown alongside Ewoldt’s expressive,
Wearable Art” presents new work by four
formed vessels fabricated with copper
accomplished metalsmiths who were
sheet and finished with colorful patinas.
challenged to create both small, wearable
Hwang’s intricate steel wire and gold body
jewelry and impressive sculpture for
adornments contrast Webber’s clever
the wall or pedestal. Sarah C. Chapman,
constructions made of everyday materials
Darlys Ewoldt, Heejin Hwang, and Stacey
like coins and screws.
Lee Webber are connected by their experiences as teachers (both past and
When seen together, the collection of
present) in Lillstreet’s deeply rooted
work in “Sense of Scale” inspires viewers
metals department and the diversity
to reconsider the conventions of both
of their work speaks to the variety of
material and construction in contemporary
techniques, materials, and approaches
metalsmithing and to marvel at the level
being taught here.
of craftsmanship achieved by these incredible artists.
Chapman’s refined and detailed pieces made with precious metals and stones
– Jess Mott Wickstrom, Gallery Director
Sarah C. Chapman grew up in Chicago and studied metalsmithing at Northeastern Illinois University. Formerly an instructor at Lillstreet, she currently lives in Minneapolis and works in the Casket Arts Building in the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District. She has worked as a studio jeweler, metalsmith, and educator for over 15 years. Chapman exhibits and sells her work at juried art fairs and galleries, primarily in the Midwest. In addition, she has exhibited at Chicago’s 2012 SOFA exhibition and won the Revere Academy’s Mort Abelson Scholarship Award.
Artist Statement: The objects I make are inspired by architecture, by nature as architect, and by my desire to build. I am struck by the process of building, how decisions are made, items are organized, and how a structure grows from nothing. I strive to find an aesthetic balance between the industrial and natural worlds, with a focus on functionality. My structures are fabricated, cast, cold-connected, soldered, etched, and die formed. I primarily work with oxidized sterling silver, copper, brass, and 14k gold to create my pieces. Since 2008, I have been using recycled, conflict-free, and SCS certified gold and sterling silver when fabricating my jewelry and sculpture, also using repurposed brass and copper when possible.
Sanctuary Ring, 2012 Sterling silver, 14k gold, and boulder opal. 1.25 x 1.75 x 1 inches
Sarah C. Chapman Compass Necklace, 2010 Sterling silver, 22k gold, and pearl. Pendant: 2 x 1 x .5 inches; Chain: 22 inches
Sarah C. Chapman Square Drop Earrings, 2012 Sterling silver, 14k gold, and pearl. 1 x 1.5 x .25 inches
Sarah C. Chapman Trireme #3, 2013 Sterling silver, brass, shell. Pendant: 1.25 x 4.5 x 1 inches; Chain: 38 inches
Sarah C. Chapman Pod Ring, 2012 Sterling silver, copper, and ruby. 2 x 2 x 1.5 inches Compass Bangle, 2014 Sterling silver, 14k gold. 2.5 x 3 x 1 inches
Sarah C. Chapman Trireme #1, 2013 Sterling silver, copper, and smoky quartz. Pendant: 4.5 x 5 x .75; Chain: 38 inches
Sarah C. Chapman Constellation Points 1-9, 2014 Copper, brass, sterling silver, nickel, steel, and various stones. 29 x 17 x .5 inches
Throughout her childhood in rural Iowa, Darlys Ewoldt felt compelled to draw and make things from a variety of materials. She was introduced to using metals at Drake University, where she received a BFA in 1977. In 1982 she earned an MFA from Indiana University. During the ensuing years, Ewoldt has lived and worked in Chicago, IL. She has received numerous grants and awards and has conducted national and international workshops on forming metal and patination processes. Her work has been included in many exhibitions, public and private collections, and publications. In addition to working in her studio, Ewoldt currently teaches at Columbia College Chicago and Lillstreet Art Center. Her three-dimensional forms are realized through the hammering and fabrication of flat sheets of metal; layers of chemicals result in a rich surface coloration.
Artist Statement: Fragments of thoughts, memories, and interpretations of physical objects converge to influence and realize the objects I make. Experiences of traveling, transitions observed in the landscape, images suggested in poetry, and the decay and rejuvenation of nature provide inspiration. In recent years, studies of birds, their colors, forms, and movements, have captured my attention and imagination. I am also intrigued by the mystique and secrets of interior spaces. Their introspective character evokes images held in memory or encountered in reality. In my work, the exterior of a form often contrasts with the interior, resulting in a dichotomy of spirit.
Wrapped Around Myself, 2013 Angle raised, formed, fabricated and patinated copper. 17.5 x 17 x 8.5 inches
Darlys Ewoldt Night Garden, 2013 Angle raised, formed, fabricated and patinated copper. 5.5 x 6.5 x 3 inches
Darlys Ewoldt Unfolding Within, II, 2012 Angle raised, formed, fabricated and patinated copper. 7 x 7 x 5 inches
Darlys Ewoldt Rotation, 2014 Angle raised, formed, fabricated and patinated copper. 21 x 20 x 7 inches
Darlys Ewoldt For Charlotte, 2011 Angle raised, formed, fabricated and patinated copper. 14 x 11.5 x 5.25 inches
Darlys Ewoldt Bracelets, 2013 Sterling silver. 3 x 5 x 3.25 inches
Darlys Ewoldt Triangle Brooch, 2013 Sterling silver. 5 x 2 x 1 inches
Heejin Hwang is originally from South Korea. She graduated with an MFA in metals from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2012. Heejin also holds a BFA degree in metals from Konkuk University and an MFA from Seoul National University in South Korea. Her work has been shown at galleries and museums internationally, including Silver Triennale (Germany), Bellevue Arts Museum, The Society for Cotemporary Craft, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, and Shemer Art Center & Museum. She lectured at SOFA Chicago in 2012 as one of the SNAG emerging artists represented by Pistachios (Chicago). She completed Lillstreet’s artist-in-residence program in 2013.
Artist Statement: My work is about the tension between structure and sensuality. I am interested in framing female identity through the lens of beauty, control, dignity, strength and vulnerability. By building simple structural units into complex sculptural forms, organic shapes give way to fortified architectural systems. Steel wire is used as basic material, and a continuous line of wire is shaped into interpenetrating forms. As multiple units complete a perfect structure, the whole becomes animated and my jewelry comes to life. The human body is the perfect context for my three-dimensional forms. As people imagine building an ideal house of their own, I also imagine building my house of jewelry on the human body.
Dropping II, 2011 Crocheted steel wire. 31 x 10.5 x 5 inches
Heejin Hwang Sensation II Series, 2013 Steel, enamel, gold leaf. 16 x 6.5 x 1.5 inches
Heejin Hwang Dropping I, 2011 Crocheted steel wire. 44 x 7 x 7 inches
Heejin Hwang Sensation II Series, 2013 Crocheted steel wire, sterling silver, and gold leaf. 6 x 3.5 x 2.5 inches
Heejin Hwang Sensuality II, 2011 Woven steel wire. 20 x 19 x 3 inches
Stacey Lee Webber was born into a large family in the suburbs of Indianapolis. She entered Ball State University and was quickly enamored with the labor-intensive nature of the jewelry and metalsmithing field. She earned a BFA in 2005 and continued her education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 2008, she received an MFA with honors, including the national Women’s Jewelry Association Student Scholarship. Following graduate school Stacey Lee Webber moved to Chicago where she was a year-long resident artist at Lillstreet Art Center. In August 2010 Webber made a pivotal move to Philadelphia where she currently resides. Webber continues to teach while focusing on building her own business making and selling jewelry and artwork.
Artist Statement: America is built on laborers–men and women who work corn farms, printing presses, semis, and construction sites. I value skilled physical labor and am proud to follow in my own ancestors’ footsteps by using my hands in everyday life. Unlike my forefathers, as an artist in the twenty-first century I am able to make art objects that exist as declarations of the importance of the handmade while challenging these same systems. Through technique and design my artwork manipulates materials and forms that evoke pride in American working-class heroes and highlight America’s iconographic history. My objects are celebrations of American families and the bluecollar work ethic that binds the heart of the United States.
Portraits of a Post Industrial American: Bouquet, 2013 Brass screws, bronze. 25 x 14 x 14 inches
Hans Peter Sundquist Lacrosse, 2012 Spray Paint on Laminate, 16 x 12 inches
Stacey Lee Webber Screw Hoops, Studs, and Rings, 2014 Sterling silver, steel and brass. Various dimensions.
Stacey Lee Webber Screw Chain, 2013 Brass screws, 10ky gold plating. 17 x 1 inches
Study in Line, 2010 Graphite on Vellum 12 x 18 inches
Stacey Lee Webber The Craftsmen Series: Liberty Keyhole Saw, 2012 Copper pennies, cast bronze pennies, bronze 20 x 4.5 x 1 inches
Stacey Lee Webber Abe Conjoined Earrings and Abe Hinged Bracelet, 2014 Copper pennies. Various dimensions.
Stacey Lee Webber Penny Chain, 2013 Patinated copper pennies. 17 x .75 inches
Stacey Lee Webber The Grand March (detail above and installation view right), 2008 - ongoing Cut coins. Various dimensions.