Sculpting
in clay is often associated with figural work, frequently as preparation
for a bronze cast. But much of the interesting sculpture done by
contemporary ceramists is abstract, sometimes referencing the figure
(as with Kathy Butterly's fascinating small works in the recent
Carnegie International), but embracing a range of expression from
geometric minimalist to organic baroque.
Maki Funai's
sculpture places near the latter. Boldly and repetitiously convoluted,
and obsessively detailed, the lobed parts of her tactile pieces
seem to have the ability to breathe and squirm.
Funai has exhibited
one work in each Three Rivers Arts Festival since 2002, including
the 2003 and 2005 Annual Exhibitions. She also exhibited in "Art
of the State: Pennsylvania 2005" at The State Museum of Pennsylvania,
Harrisburg, where she was awarded third place in sculpture.
Now 10 of her
sculptures may be seen in the exhibition "Organic Matters:
Ceramic Sculpture" at The Clay Place, Shadyside, allowing insight
into her working methods and formal evolution.
The pieces are
hand-built, some of them partially molded, and are apparently inspired
by a variety of natural forms but most distinctly coral reefs with
their gatherings of clustered forms. "Sanagi" has the
shape and motion of a large-bodied gliding fish, with gills and
other organs on the outside rather than scales. "Pro/Aggressive"
at first glance could be a mass of succulents. Insertions made of
fiberglass resin, which resemble minerals or glass, heighten the
visceral quality of some sculptures.
Still, it would
be shortsighted to suggest that they are only elaborations upon
representation. The Japanese native, for example, sees them as portraying
the ambiguous state that she, and others, experience in contemporary
global life.
Funai earned
a bachelor's degree in English literature at Nihon University, Tokyo,
and completed her master's of fine arts degree in ceramics at Indiana
University of Pennsylvania last year. She's teaching at IUP this
summer but is looking for employment in Pittsburgh and plans to
move to Lawrenceville.
While at Clay
Place, you might ask proprietress Elvira Peake to point out animal
embellished porcelain works by previous exhibitor Bernadette Curran
that are playful and sophisticated, fun and functional.
"Organic"
runs through Aug. 3 at 5416 Walnut St., Shadyside (2nd floor, elevator).
Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 to 9 p.m.
Wednesday. For information call 412-682-3737. |
