Geology new sculptural works by Andy Moerlein

Boston Sculptors Gallery
486 Harrison Ave Boston MA

September 7th-October 9th 2016

Gallery Hours: Wed. – Sun. 12 – 6pm

First Friday Receptions: Sept. 9 & Oct. 7, 5-8pm Featuring a world premiere of experimental electronic music by Blue Sky Catastrophe at each reception.   

The Art of Collecting: A Forum & Luncheon: Sept.10, 12-2pm
Panelists include: Arlette Kayafas, Director of Gallery Kayafas, Toni Gaspard, Art Collector, Leah Triplett Harrington, Editor of Big, Red & Shiny and Kalimah Muhammad, Member of Boston Sculptors Gallery. Sponsored by Boston Art Dealers Association & Hosted by Boston Sculptors Gallery   

United South End Artists Open Studios:
Sept. 24 & 25, 12-6pm   

Global Mashup: A Roundtable Conversation About Aesthetics: Oct. 2, 2-4pm Panelists include Kemin Hu, Collector and Expert on Chinese Scholar's Rocks, James Kodera, Professor of Religion at Wellesley College and Al Miner, Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Sponsored by Artscope Magazine

Throughout the month I will be sharing images of each of the 30 new sculptures in the show plus writings about the work on FaceBook . This has been a multi year labor. Please be sure to see the show in person if you can.

image: CANYON 2016 ceramic 9"h

Geology features entirely new sculptural works by Andy Moerlein. Informed by the artist’s enthusiasm for scholars’ rocks, the exhibition will include found rocks, ceramic pieces, wood carvings, and sculptures in other media reinterpreting this ancient Chinese art form.

The Chinese tradition of collecting scholars’ rocks involves the elegant presentation of precious and adored stones for contemplation and enjoyment. Often the result of artisanal intervention, the intricate structure of the stones may be deeply carved and drilled, or surfaced with smoothed facets to achieve an authentic “natural” look.

Moerlein’s investigation of authenticity and artifice embraces many different materials and surfaces. Geology includes beautifully crafted wood and ceramics with surfaces that have been flame textured, wire brushed, carved, painted, or distressed. While many are intimate palm-sized objects, the show also features monumental sculptures.

Chinese scholars’ rocks stand on a foundation of the interpreted natural. Traditionally, the creators of scholars’ rocks were modest, anonymously producing these unique spectacular objects. Slipping snugly into a crack between anonymous crafted object and insistent conceptualism, Geology presents a contemporary western artist’s view of this ancient tradition. Moerlein notes: “I am captivated by the unnamed scholars rock artists. I am intrigued by the intersection of natural form and created shape. I am conflicted by the complicit collector who elevates a stone for its chance perfection, willingly oblivious to the evident manipulation.”

Moerlein’s handmade stones have been exhibited nationally. Recently the artist mounted them in trees on the Christian Science plaza in Boston, as well as at the Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, MA. Currently Moerlein’s work is featured in Muskegon, MI. The sculptures in Geology bring the ideas evident in the artist’s outdoor work into the gallery setting.
 

Geology will be shown concurrently with Zodiac by Donna Dodson.

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Myth Makers events w/Donna Dodson

October 20, 2016 

Ogden After Hours - Featured Artists The Myth Makers

Ogden Museum of Southern Art 

925 Camp Street
New Orleans, 70130 United States

Ogden After Hours is an entertainment series featuring Southern musicians, films and more. The Myth Makers will be doing an artists talk and an education art activity for kids in the Education Gallery. It is a festive New Orleans party with a cash-bar and all galleries open for viewing. Music, art and fun for the entire family.

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Coming Soon!

October-November 2016:

The Myth Makers will be Artists in Residence at the Academy Art Museum in Easton Maryland!