 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prendergast To Host Wood Artisan  |
| |
The Prendergast Library Art Gallery will feature artistry in wood by Wallace Berger in an exhibit called Stories that Shaped the World from Aug. 6 through Sept. 10.
An active artist for the last five years, Berger creates his work in Melbourne, Fla., and Saratoga Springs, N.Y. His art reflects his university, government and private industry work experience in American Indian culture, the physical sciences and the environment.
My art depicts stories or themes that have affected our lives and our perception of our world, he said.
Berger s medium is exotic and native solid woods. Some of his creations incorporate natural elements such as rocks, branches and shells. Each piece typically combines the natural grains, colors and textures of at least seven woods and is finished with a natural wood frame.
The colors and grains of the wood are my equivalent to paints, he said.
There will be an opening reception from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6, at the library for the public to meet Berger and discuss his work.
Berger s two- and three-dimensional art includes pictures, sculptures and mobiles that usually range from 4 square feet to 9 square feet in size. At Prendergast, he will show 17 pieces with titles ranging from Yuma Creation Story to Start the Clock, Atom Smasher and Dimensions.
According to the artist, each piece takes at least 40 hours to create. About one-third of that time is used for doing research, developing the concept and initial drawing. One-third is spent cutting and shaping the wood, and the final third is devoted to fitting, assembling and finishing the work.
Even after I have made a detailed life-size drawing, things change as soon as I work the first wood element, he said.
One of Berger s typical pieces consists of 50 wooden elements, and he has kept some woods for several years before finding the right place for them.
Throughout the creation process I treat each art piece as a sacred object that the wood has let me express, he said.
Berger s work blends cubist, impressionist and realistic elements to capture images and concepts.
I try to depict situations and stories that cannot be directly observed, he said.
As part of the 2008 and 2009 Brevard County Art in Public Places program, Berger s work appeared in locations such as regional hospitals, the Melbourne International Airport and the Astronaut Memorial Planetarium.
Describing his work, Lynne Brezina, art services coordinator for the Brevard Cultural Alliance, said, Berger brings together various types of wood in color, texture and shape. Each piece is an integral part of the story portrayed in his artwork, somewhat like the Indian Cave Painters.
He was selected to participate in the Boca Raton Museum of Art 22nd Outdoor Juried Art Festival in 2008. The year before, he was one of six artists chosen to participate in the 2007 Indialantic, FL Annual Emerging Artists Intimate Gallery Showcase. His work was also selected for display at the Brevard Art Museum as part of their 2007 juried competition.
Berger maintains an inventory of completed works at his Florida studio. Besides producing original works of art, he will also do commissions. For requests to view his work or request digital images, he can be reached at (703) 655-5996 or wberger4@cfl.rr.com.
Gallery hours for Berger s Prendergast Library exhibit are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays; and 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays.
The next library exhibitor will be Medis Kent, a fiber artist who will present Melange of Fabrics.
Prendergast Library is located at 509 Cherry St., Jamestown. For more information, call 484-7135, Ext. 225.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|