Art Reviews: Artists delve into the possibilities of material, message in gallery shows

Saturday, July 21, 2001

By Mary Thomas, Post-Gazette Art Critic

Clay Place

Florida potter Austin Lindsey's tea bowls and sake containers at the Clay Place Gallery, Shadyside, are inspired by traditional Japanese wood firing. Surfaces metamorphose during 40-hour firings to look like ancient stone, accentuated by flame flashes and ash glaze runs. Mastering such form is a lifelong task, and Lindsey is on his way, with several of the pieces achieving the structural integrity and contemplative depth that the tea aesthetic requires.

Large sculptures made of recombined thrown forms and small faceted vases that have sculptural quality are especially interesting.

Also at Clay Place, "Sculptural Clay by Seventeen Artists" (locally and nationally notable) fills the space once occupied by the Michael Berger Gallery. Three of the 17 were on prominent Ceramics Monthly magazine's list of the 13 living artists who've had the greatest impact on contemporary ceramics.

The three -- Karen Karnes, David Shaner and Ken Ferguson -- show representative pieces that reference the vessel. Also outstanding is "Digger 101," a work of marvelous whimsy by Bill Stewart. Judith Freedman's airy, refined "Flowers" and James Shipman's ethereal "Sand Star" are highlights in this overall solid show.

This exhibition is another that was inspired by the June International Sculpture Conference. Clay Place carries ISC parent organization publication Sculpture magazine, including the June issue that features Pittsburgh's sculpture, artist Diane Samuels and Nam June Paik, whose work is at Wood Street Galleries.

The exhibitions are at 5416 Walnut St., second floor, through Aug. 15. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday. For information, call 412-682-3737.

Austin Lindsey

30 Monday
Austin Lindsey has worked for artists and production potteries long enough to understand the balance between function and design in ceramics. In his new show, Lindsey uses his technical background to highlight the aesthetics of Japanese Momoyama woodfiring. Using authentic forming techniques, all of the bowls were sculpted and carved from solid or hand-built iron bearing clay. The end result is work that can hold its own historically and artistically while it serves a useful function. Through August 15. The Clay Place, Shadyside. 682-3737. // M.E.