mel jacobson on thu 24 apr 08
The David Shaner (1934-2002) retrospective at the Missoula Art Museum , in=
Missoula, MT, running through May 31, is a not-to-be-missed event if you're=
within any reasonable distance of that city - for example, on the same=
continent. In the presence of such versatile accomplishment we find=
ourselves humbled and inspired by about 60 pieces from 40+ years of=
dedication to a life in clay. Had David been interested in using his work=
to draw attention to himself as a person, he could easily have had a more=
gilded, high-profile career; instead, he embodied integrity, working to=
assert values that potters and sculptors invest and discover in what they=
make: a sense of the hand, an ongoing curiosity about the secret life of=
materials, commitment to exploring both imaginative and classical forms, a=
yearning toward "original rightness" that on our best days flows from=
experience, informing the urge to turn over new ground.
I wish this show could travel for a couple of years, but we all must live=
with our favorite unfunded wishes.
The heart of the exhibition, for me, was a glass case containing many dozens=
of David's hand-written observations on 3" x 5" cards, several of which=
follow:
If your work is not a reflection of your life, either of the two is false
We must find the center of our existence with our heart and soul not just=
our mind.=20
All good art is spiritual. Creating art is a search for something beyond=
awareness.=20
If you don=E2=80=99t know what you should be making --- keep working--- it=
will come to you.
I want to make pots that wrap their arms around you.
Enjoy the process. Whatever is done well is done with enthusiasm.=20
Jack Troy=20
from minnetonka:
website http://www.visi.com/~melpots/
clayart site:
http://www.visi.com/~melpots/clayart.html
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