Upcoming Exhibitions

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Susan Hagen: Social Studies
(June 07 – July 20, 2013)

Susan Hagen: Social Studies is an in-depth survey of recent work by Philadelphia artist Susan Hagen, which addresses themes of social awareness, personal identity and the human condition. Hagen’s detailed, small-scale sculptures are constructed of carved wood (burned, bleached or painted) and mixed media, and her drawings employ conté and ink wash. Though her techniques are mostly traditional, she brings her perspective as a contemporary American woman to her studies of urban life and social issues. The figures carved on a relatively small scale- usually the entire figure is less than 24” high. Press Release

__________________________________________________________________________________________

allTURNatives: Form + Spirit 2013
(August 2 – October 12, 2013)

Celebrating the Center’s 18th year hosting the International Turning Exchange Residency (ITE) program, the residents will work together for 2 months in Philadelphia to collaborate and focus on new directions in their work. The grand finale exhibition for the 2013 ITE program is the exhibit. This multidisciplinary exhibition will reflect each resident fellow’s experiences including objects produced before and during the residency.  Three-dimensional work will be accompanied by photos, essays, films, and other documentation depicting the summer experience. Included will be each fellow’s statements about their personal and professional experiences. Press Release

The 2013 ITE Resident Fellow Artists are:

  • Ben Carpenter (Artist), ID, USA
  • Gaynor Dowling (Artist), England
  • John Kelsey (Photojournalist), PA, USA
  • Heather Lineberry (Scholar) AZ, USA
  • Malcolm Martin (Artist), England
  • Neil Turner (Artist), West Australia

Ben Carpenter (Artist), ID, USA

Gaynor Dowling (Artist), England and Malcolm Martin (Artist), England

John Kelsey (Photojournalist), PA, USA

Neil Turner (Artist), West Australia

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Shadow of the Turning
(October 25, 2013 – January 18, 2014)

Shadow of the Turning is a traveling exhibition focuses on art, philosophy and storytelling of artist Binh Pho. Blending the mythic worlds of fairy tale, fantasy, adventure and science fiction, this exhibit creates a bridge between literature, art world approaches to concept and narrative, craft traditions and mixed media approaches. The story is “illustrated” using an exciting new body of work by Binh Pho, which combines woodturning, sculpture, painting and art glass. For more information please visit the Shadow of the Turning website: Shadow of the Turning

__________________________________________________________________________________________

David Stephens: “Auguries of Idolatry”
(February 07 – April 19, 2014)

David Stephens a noted sculptor and arts administrator lost his vision over a period of years. During that time, he planned projects that include the work he is now executing. In four wall-mounted and free-standing installations to be constructed for his show, the first solo show at The Center for Art in Wood, Stephens will use hugely over sized Braille “bumps” to address issues relating to communication and symbolism. This shift of perception from one sense to another will illuminate the power and mutability of symbols.

Explaining the title of the show, “Auguries of Idolatry,” Stephens says “The word ‘auguries’ as used by William Blake means prophecy or divination. It has to do with the sorcery and enchantment of idolatry.” The four installations in the show will address the religious aspects of augury as well as the contemporary enchantments of technology, idols that might include the cell phone and the computer.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Challenge VIII: Bartram’s Boxes Remix
(May 02 – July 19, 2014)

Bartram’s Boxes Remix (BBR) is a collaborative project between the Center and Bartram’s Garden, Philadelphia (home of famed 18th century explorer and botanist John Bartram). The title of this project Bartram’s Boxes Remix references the boxes containing seeds, plants, and curiosities that John Bartram began sending to his colleagues in England in 1735, making Bartram’s Garden an international hub of plant knowledge and sharing.

In the spirit of John Bartram’s desire to share his passion for trees and other plants, BBR will bring together artists who will create works in wood and other materials from Bartram’s Garden. Artists will be able to select from 13 types of wood from the Garden felled by a recent storm. BBR celebrates John Bartram’s legacy of discovery and will provide a unique opportunity for artists to “remix” the history, materials and inspiration of one of America’s oldest gardens in their work.

The Challenge series and exhibit provides artists from around the world with a forum to push the frontiers of conceptualizing and executing their work while inviting the public to expand its understanding and appreciation of contemporary art in wood. The Challenge series includes works from both established and emerging artists. More information about the exhibit and project click here: more info

__________________________________________________________________________________________

allTURNatives: Form + Spirit 2014
(August 01 – October 25 2014)

Celebrating the Center’s 19th year hosting the International Turning Exchange Residency (ITE) program, the residents will work together for 2 months in Philadelphia to collaborate and focus on new directions in their work. The grand finale exhibition for the 2014 ITE program is the exhibit. This multidisciplinary exhibition will reflect each resident fellow’s experiences including objects produced before and during the residency. Three-dimensional work will be accompanied by photos, essays, films, and other documentation depicting the summer experience. Included will be each fellow’s statements about their personal and professional experiences.

The 2014 ITE Resident Fellow Artists are:

  • Eric Adjetey Ananag (Artist), Accra, Ghana
  • Miriam Carpenter (Artist), PA, USA
  • Jordan Gehman (Artist), CA, USA
  • Reed Hansuld (Artist), Ontario, Canada
  • Amber Johnston (Photojournalist), PA, USA
  • Yuri Kobayashi (Artist), MA, USA

Eric Adjetey Ananag (Artist), Accra, Ghana

Miriam Carpenter (Artist), PA, USA

Jordan Gehman (Artist), CA, USA

Reed Hansuld (Artist), Ontario, Canada

Amber Johnston (Photojournalist), PA, USA

Yuri Kobayashi (Artist), MA, USA

__________________________________________________________________________________________