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CERCA Y LEJOS | CRISTINA CÓRDOVA Ceramic Sculpture + Drawings September 20 – November 20, 2016

Penland Gallery & Visitors Center Penland, North Carolina

Deep in the realm of primal codes there is an instinctive connection to the place where our neurological infrastructure is first laid. Likewise, there is an involuntary vinculum to that core group of individuals that first mold our existence. I am often impressed by the active influence these places and individuals have on my day to day. Near and far—they are beacons to my identity, some tying me back to a specific geography and the sediment of generations. For better or worse they persist and perpetuate themselves through my actions and my willingness to explore the liminal space between two cultures. Through image and form, Cerca y Lejos explores these deep-rooted and inexorable human and geographic connections.

CRISTINA CĂ“RDOVA

CURATOR’S INTRODUCTION KATHRYN GREMLEY DIRECTOR, PENLAND GALLERY Visualizing emotion and conjuring a physical form to contain it, sculptor Cristina Córdova taps complex sources of personal expression and technical ability.

Córdova’s sculptures are poetry embodied in human forms, infused with potent gestures and a guarded gaze — introspective narratives concerned with personal and cultural history. There is a field of vision surrounding the work, an unavoidable engagement and spiritual directness that are unflinchingly honest.

The use of material is equally transcendent, showing minimal regard for technical limits and the conventions of accepted ceramic properties. Córdova works intuitively, processing the ingrained influences of her culture, environment, and education, yet she is able to convey universal concepts in her work.

In this single-artist exhibition, Córdova has envisioned the entire gallery space as her creative territory, canvas, and stage — fabricating a conceptual environment for her ideology. Discarding the traditions of the pedestal and rigid, framed paintings, Córdova challenges the viewer by shifting the scale, lowering or raising works from eye level, and painting on subordinate materials such as cardboard. For an artist whose work is both sensory and confrontational, the opportunity to work with an entire exhibition space is ideal: she can move fluidly from wall to floor, she can study the light and create works accordingly, she can force perspective and create narrative groupings without regard to conventional gallery norms.

CERCA Y LEJOS is an appreciable shift in Córdova’s work — a transposition or veering away from fiction into verisimilitude — the artist looking outward instead of inward. Central to this exhibition are two life-size, ceramic figures: one depicts her husband and the other depicts one of their daughters. The figures stand in front of fragmented photographic murals — images from Puerto Rico. In talking about this work, Córdova said, “My work has been described in the past as having to do with surrealism and religious iconography. In this more overtly personal work, I am using images of real places and modeling real individuals; naturalism is playing a much heavier role.” Along with these tableaux are a series of large portraits of members of Córdova’s family. Drawn and painted on cardboard or paper using clay slip and other materials, the oversized faces look directly and unwaveringly at the viewer.

What becomes most compelling in experiencing Córdova’s work is the evolution of our viewing, an ever-deepening understanding of her narrative. The figures are in contrapposto posture — relaxed, aware, fully present. In a 1941 photograph by Jack Delano, a malaria poster hangs on the wall of a small hotel in Puerto Rico, warning the hotel guests of mosquitos transmitting the illness. This image is poignantly paired with the strong, proud figure of Córdova’s daughter.

There is passion and potent force in this gathering: father, daughters, sister, brother, husband.

The show’s title means “near and far” and refers to the proximity of the artist’s family and the distance of her homeland. Taken as a whole, the exhibition creates a form of silent theater that illuminates one artist’s exploration of her personal and cultural identity.

CRISTINA CÓRDOVA EDUCATION 2002

Master of Fine Arts, New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Alfred, NY

1999-2000

Special Student, New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Alfred, NY

1998

Bachelor of Arts, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Colegio de Agricultura y Artes Mecánicas, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, Magna Cum Laude

1998-2006

Extracurricular studies: Florence Academy of Art, Florence, Italy 2005 Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC, 2004 – 2006 Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Deer Isle, ME, 1999 Touchstone Center for Crafts, Farmington, PA, 1999 Antonieta Hambleton Studio, Cayey, Puerto Rico, 1998-1999

RESIDENCIES 2002-2005

Resident Artist, Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC

2016

Archie Bray Foundation for Ceramic Arts, Helena, MT

COLLECTIONS Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C. Colección Acosta, San Juan, Puerto Rico Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton, MA Museum of Contemporary Art, San Juan, Puerto Rico Museum of Art of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico Museo de Arte de Ponce, Ponce, Puerto Rico Mint Museum of Craft + Design, Charlotte, NC Mobile Museum of Art, Mobile, AL Gretchen Keyworth, Society of Arts & Crafts, Boston, MA Joseph-Schein Museum, Alfred, NY

AWARDS 2015

USA Distinguished Fellow, Crafts, United States Artists

2012

40 under 40: Craft Futures, Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian, American Art Museum, Exhibition and Work Acquisition

Mint Museum of Craft and Design Project Ten Ten Ten, Permanent Collection Commission Recipient 2010

Virginia Groot Foundation Recognition Award

2009

Best Art Exhibit: Cristina Cรณrdova at Hodges Taylor, Creative Loafing, Best of Charlotte A & E Critic's Picks University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Visiting Artist Fellow

2008

AICA Award (International Association of Art Critics): Best Ceramic Sculpture

2007

AICA Award (International Association of Art Critics): Best Ceramic Sculpture

2004-05

NC Arts Council Fellowship Award

2003

American Craft Council Emerging Artist Grant

Exhibition for Hacia otro mar, Pamil Fine Art, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Exhibition for Fรกbulas de la Fascinaciรณn II, Pamil Fine Art, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Liza Plaster Award, Lenoir Sculpture Show, Lenoir, NC

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 2015

Penland School of Crafts, Sculpture in Motion, Ceramic Sculpture and StopMotion Course taught with Arturo Guillermo Cรณrdova, Penland, NC

Santa Fe Clay, The Printed Figure, Ceramic Arts Workshop, Santa Fe, NM 2014

Women Working with Clay Symposium, Hollins University, Presenter, Roanoke, VA Visiting Artist, Oxbow School of Art, Saugatuck, MI

Firefest, STARworks Ceramics, Star, NC, Large Scale Sculpture Commission and Lecture (Design of 8-foot sculpture, fired on site)

The Printed Figure, Ceramic Workshop taught with Jason Burnett,

Soto-Cordova Studios, Penland, NC 2013

Taller, Ceramic Demonstration and Lecture, Soto-Cรณrdova Studios, Penland, NC NCECA Biennial Juror (Collaboration with Richard Notkin and Namita Wiggers)

2012

Work Intensive III: Figuration presenter, Ceramic Arts Demonstration and Lecture, California State University

2011

Ultrafiguraciรณn, Figurative Ceramics Arts Course, Museo de Arte Contemporรกneo de Puerto Rico, Santurce, Puerto Rico

TravelArte, founder of travel-arte.com, offering educational experiences within a given art/craft medium while immersing students in the creative culture of a particular geographical setting)

Figure:Form + Content, Anderson Ranch, Snowmass, CO, , Ceramic Arts Workshop Figurative Symposium, Francis Marion University, presenting artist at with Sergei Isupov and Janis Mars Wunderlich 2006-10

Trustee, Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC

2010

Armory Arts Center, Ceramic Arts Workshop, West Palm Beach, FL

The Figure in Clay, Odyssey Center for Ceramics, Asheville, NC, Ceramic Arts Workshop Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Ceramic Arts Workshop, Deer Isle, ME Penland School of Crafts, Spring Concentration, 8-week Ceramic Arts Course, Penland, NC University of Nebraska, Visiting Artist, Lincoln, NE

2008

South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts, Visiting Artist Georgia State University, Visiting Artist

Corporal, Penland School, Penland, NC, Ceramic Arts Workshop 2007 2006 2005

Figurative Workshop, Clague Studio, Bakersville, NC, Ceramic Arts Workshop

Figurative Intuition, Mudfire, Atlanta, GA, Ceramic Arts Workshop

The Figure in Clay, Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM, Ceramic Arts Workshop

The Figure: Structure and Surface, Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC, (twomonth course including drawing, sculpting and glaze formulation)

2004

The Figure in Clay, Odyssey Center for Ceramics, Asheville, NC, Ceramic Arts Workshop

2002

Cerรกmica Figurativa, Taller Hambleton, Cayey, Puerto Rico, Ceramic Arts Workshop NY State College of Ceramics, School of Art and Design, "Drawing Techniques", Assistant to Professor George Riekin, Alfred University, Alfred, NY

2001

Hand-building Techniques, NY State College of Ceramics, Assistant to Professor Andrea Gill, Alfred University, Alfred, NY

2000

Figure Drawing, instructor, New York State College of Ceramics, Alfred University, Alfred, NY

LITERATURE 2016

Inspired: Life in Penland’s Resident Artist and Core Fellowship Programs, published by Penland School of Crafts, NC

2016

Cristina Cordóva: Involuntary Dialogs, Ceramics Monthly, February 2016, author Kathleen Whitney

2012

The Body Eloquent, Joyce Lovelace, American Craft

Retablos, joyas, plateria y arte colección acosta de San Juan, Puerto Rico (1695-2010), Acosta, Stolberg, Robert, Editorial Reves

2010

Art Market Insights: Art at the Crossroads, Review by John O’hern, American Art Collector, Issue 39

Cristina Córdova, author Paul Howley, The Laurel of Asheville 2009

Cristina Córdova: Entre Tierra, Isabel P. Sanz De Arellano López, Imágen Umbral de lo surreal, Mariana García Benítez, Arq.i.tec 3.4

ENTRE TIERRA : Nueva escultura en cerámica por Cristina Córdova, (English/Español) Ivette Fred Rivera y Lilliana Ramos Collado, ARTES (artesrp.com) 2008

Possibilities: Rising Stars of Contemporary Craft in North Carolina, author Kate Dobbs Ariatl, American Craft

2007

Creadora de enigmas, El Nuevo Dia

2006

From the Inside Out-Two Views on the Creation and Experience of Cristina

Cristina Córdova: Magic Realism, author Felicia Feaster, Creative Loafing

Cordova's Clay Sculptures, authors Katey Schultz and Linda Hillman, Ceramics Art in Perception

Reviews: Cristina Córdova, Kate Dobbs Ariail, American Craft 2005

Body Language, Fred Camper, Chicago Reader

2004

Dark Horse, Scott Lucas, Creative Loafing

The Figure in Clay, Suzanne Tourtillot, Lark Books 500 Figures in Clay, Editor Verónica Alice Gunther, Lark Books Transformation, Graham Shearing, American Craft

Cristina Córdova: Mito, Memoria y lluvia, Rafael Trelles, El Nuevo Dia 2003 2002

Enamorada de la cerámica, Mario Alegre Barrios, El Nuevo Dia Celebración Femenina, Manuel Alvarez Lezama, El Nuevo Dia

2001

Cristina Córdova: Mujeres Santas y Renacimientos, Jorge Rodriguez, El Vocero

2000

My Experiences and Impressions, Luo Xiaoping, Sculpture, 2000.3, vol. 23

Cerámica Escultural, Manuel Alvarez Lezama, El Nuevo Día EXHIBITIONS 2016

Cristina Cordóva |CERCA Y LEJOS, Penland Gallery, Penland, NC, (solo exhibition) Contemporary Clay, A Survey of Contemporary American Ceramics, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC

EXPOSED: Heads, Busts, and Nudes, Ferrin Contemporary, North Adams, MA 2015

SOFA Chicago, Ann Nathan Gallery

Art Market San Francisco, Seager Grey Gallery

Pulse Miami, presented by Ferrin Contemporary, North Adams, MA 2014

Cristina Córdova, Blue Spiral Gallery, July

Ceramic Top 40, Gallery 224, Office of the Arts at Harvard, Boston 2013

SOFA Chicago, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL

Clay Bodies: International Figurative Sculpture, Barry Friedman Ltd. Cristina Córdova: Tierra de Leche y Miel, Pamil Fine Art, Puerto Rico, (solo exhibition)

2012

40 Under 40: Craft Futures, Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.

NCECA Invitational exhibition, Push Play, Bellevue Art Museum, Seattle, WA 2011 2010

Cristina Córdova: Bestiario, Morean Arts Center, St Petersburg, FL, (solo) Mancha, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL, (solo) SOFA Chicago, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL

Muestra Nacional de Artes Plasticas, Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña, Antiguo Arsenal, Puntilla, Museo de las Américas, Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico

Contiguous, Cristina Cordova and Jerilyn Virden, Crimson Laurel Gallery, Bakersville, NC

A Show of Heads, Collective with Tip Tolan, Akio Takamori, Judy Fox, Doug Jeck, Tom Bartel, Tanya Batura, Thaddeus Eardhal and Arthur Gonzalez, Cinema Gallery, Urbana, IL 2009

Cristina Córdova: ENTRE TIERRA, Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puero Rico, (solo)

SOFA Chicago, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL, November 2008

Cristina Córdova, Hodges Taylor Gallery, Charlotte, NC, (solo)

Possibilities: Rising Stars of Contemporary Craft in North Carolina, Mint Museum of Craft + Design, Charlotte, NC

Hacia otro mar, Pamil Fine Art, San Juan, Puerto Rico (solo) 2007

Paseantes, The Signature Shop and Gallery, Atlanta, GA (solo)

Variation, SOFA Chicago, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL

Fábulas de la Fascinación II, Pamil Fine Art, San Juan, Puerto Rico, (solo) 2006

SOFA Chicago, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL

Causes Invisibles, Blue Spiral, Asheville, NC, (solo) Muestra Nacional de Artes Plásticas, Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña, Antiguo Arsenal, Puntilla, Museo de las Américas, Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico

Palm Beach 3, Ann Nathan Gallery, Palm Beach, FL

Fábulas de la Fascinación, Hodges Taylor Gallery, Charlotte, NC, (solo) 2005

Mito y Enteanatomia, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL, (solo) Enteanatomia, Pamil Fine Art, San Juan, Puerto Rico, (solo) Vanitas, Lacoste Gallery, Concord, MA

School's Out, curated by Gail Brown, Community College of Baltimore County, Cantonsville Gallery

Armory Arts Center Figurative Invitational Exhibition, Armory Arts Center, Palm Beach, FL 2004

SOFA Chicago, Ann Nathan Gallery, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL

Cristina Cordova: Mitomemoria, WDO Gallery, Charlotte, NC, (solo)

Penland School of Crafts: Contemporary Traditions, SOFA Chicago, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL

SOFA NY, Ann Nathan Gallery, New York, NY

Mito, memoria y lluvia, Pamil Fine Art, San Juan, Puerto Rico, (solo) 2003

National Fine Arts Juried Sample, Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña, Antiguo Arsenal, Puntilla, Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico

SOFA Chicago, Ann Nathan Gallery, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL SOFA NY, Ann Nathan Gallery, New York, NY

Penland Resident Artists Exhibition, Penland Gallery, Penland, NC

Transformation 4: Contemporary Works in Ceramics, Elizabeth Raphael Prize Finalists Show, Honorable Mention, Society for Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, PA 2002 2002

Bajo Faldas y entre cabezas, Pamil Fine Art, San Juan, Puerto Rico, (solo)

De mujeres santas y renacimientos, Pamil Fine Art, San Juan, Puerto Rico, (solo)

MFA Thesis Exhibition: Cristina Cordova, Dragica Suskind and Brian Gillis, Fosdick Nelson Gallery, Alfred University, Alfred, NY

Artists in Wonderland, Digital Exhibition Curated by Pedro Pachano, Bronx River Arts Center, Bronx, NY

Graduates, Blue Heron Gallery, Deer Isle, ME, July 2001

Encuentro: Cristina Cordova y Mercedita Andrew, Pamil Fine Art, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Recent Ceramic Sculpture, Pamil Fine Art, San Juan, Puerto Rico, (solo) Raices, Pamil Fine Art, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Escalera, Kaleidoscope Gallery, Rincon, Puerto Rico

Annual Student Juried Exhibition, Chardon Gallery, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico (1998-First Prize Award)

CRISTINA CÓRDOVA | BIO

Cristina Córdova received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Puerto Rico in Mayagüez and continued to earn a Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. Upon graduation in 2002 she entered a threeyear artist residency program at Penland School of Crafts where she later served in the board of trustees from 2006 to 2010. Some recognitions include an American Crafts Council Emerging Artist Grant, a North Carolina Arts Council Fellowship, a Virginia Groot Foundation

Recognition

Grant

and

several

International

Association of Art Critics Awards. Cristina has taught at Penland School of Crafts (NC), Haystack Mountain School (ME), Santa Fe Clay (NM), Mudfire (GA), Odyssey Center for Ceramics (NC), and Anderson Ranch (CO), among others. In 2011 she founded TravelArte (travel-arte.com), an ongoing platform that provides educational experiences within the ceramics medium while immersing students in the creative culture of a particular geographical setting. Her work is part of the permanent collections of the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum (Washington, D.C.), the Fuller Craft Museum, (MA), the Mint Museum of Craft and Design (NC), the Museum of Contemporary Art of Puerto Rico (PR), the Museum of Art of Puerto Rico (PR), and the Joseph-Schein Museum (NY). She currently lives and works in Penland, North Carolina.

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CERCA Y LEJOS | CRISTINA CÓRDOVA Ceramic Sculpture + Drawings September 20 – November 20, 2016

For more information, availability, and price list contact Kathryn Gremley Director, Penland Gallery & Visitors Center 828.765.6211 gallery@penland.org Photo credits | Robin Dreyer and Dana Moore

Penland School of Crafts is supported by the N.C Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. www.penland.org www.penland.org/gallery