KMLake
09-10-2005, 06:28 PM
------------------------------------------------------------------------ NEWS RELEASE: September 9, 2005 - For
Immediate Release
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xiem Gallery, 1563 North Lake Avenue, Pasadena CA 91104 - 626.794.5833 - www.xiemclaycenter.com kathy@xiemclaycenter.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Smithsonian Artist, Barbara Hashimoto, Takes Multifaceted Talents to Ground-Breaking Ceramics Gallery
Exhibition card: http://www.xiemclaycenter.com/Hashimoto1.htm
Smithsonian Artist, Barbara Hashimoto, Takes Multifaceted Talents to Ground-Breaking Ceramics Gallery
Exhibition card: http://www.xiemclaycenter.com/Hashimoto1.htm
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA/KMLake -- September 5, 2005 -- Barbara Hashimoto, whose work "In Taxila"( clay, book and encaustic, 1998), is part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection, is staying true to her distinctive, multi-disciplinary, approach to art in using a broad range of expressive media for her exhibition opening at Xiem Gallery, Saturday, September 17th. Hashimoto, who works in ceramics, installation and performance, is difficult to categorize in traditional terms and perhaps this leads to her freedom of expression and ease of movement between complex creative disciplines. Her work both attracts and challenges the viewer. Hashimoto's unusual ability to absorb historical context, political structures and post-modern pop culture and intelligently distill these seemingly disparate realms while producing works of great sensitivity and beauty, makes her a an artist whose work will continue to provide cultural markers of international relevance for decades to come. Sculpture Magazine's Collette Chattopadhyay has described Hashimoto's style as, "Defining a circuit of exchange between East and West, between so-called low and high culture, her works both deconstruct popular and historically respected voices, pointing to their patriarchal paradigms and whispering of both the failure and dream for a greater democratization of social power." While many have strong feelings about these important issues, few have Hashimoto's talent for creating works evoke thought without overstating or imposing a certain viewpoint. Further, because her commentary appears to be a genuine expression of her personal process in understanding such challenging issues, each resulting work is aesthetically sublime and much like a whispered invitation; Hashimoto entices the viewer through great artistic talent, captures the imagination and then ruthlessly expands the captive's social reality.
While Hashimoto's sculptural work easily stands alone as a major accomplishment and she continues to produce work of quality and interest, this is clearly not enough for this hungry mind as she swiftly changes and constantly adds to her artistic repertoire. The format of her two-part exhibition allows for a clear understanding of her development over a 15-year period and a separate opportunity to experience the artist's newest works which embody her current perspective and direction. The Performance Art piece to be presented during the September 17th opening promises to provide a grand introduction to Hashimoto's part one, retrospective show, "How Comes This To Be Furnished?" Part two of Hashimoto's exhibition, "Return to Tablulae Rasae" will open on October 21st and presents her newest works inspired by the writings of John Locke. Reflecting on her choice of titles How Comes It To Be Furnished? and Return to Tabulae Rasae, the artist cites John Locke (1632-1704), credited with initiating the concept of the Tabula Rasa, or blank slate, as a preliminary stage of cognitive and affective development. The following lines are from John Locke's "Essay Concerning Human Understanding":
"Let us then suppose the mind to be, as we say, white paper void of all
characters, without any ideas. How comes it to be furnished? Whence
comes it by that vast store which the busy and boundless fancy of man
has painted on it with an almost endless variety? Whence has it all the
materials of reason and knowledge? To this I answer, in one word, from
experience."
Most recently attracting critical acclaim in the “Terra Nova” exhibition at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, Hashimoto’s work has been exhibited throughout the United States, Japan and Israel. Hashimoto's exhibition at Xiem Gallery is her first solo show in the Los Angeles area in three years. The Xiem Gallery, an emerging force in the Southern California arts community has a growing reputation for presenting contemporary ceramics of unusual quality and design innovation, provides a perfect match for Hashimoto's diverse portfolio.
[1] Chattopadhyay, Collette, "Barbara Hashimoto's Critique of Power," Sculpture Magazine, October 2001
Images of Hashimoto’s work: http://www.barbarahashimoto.com/work.html
Selected articles relating to Hashimoto's work: Sculpture Magazine: http://www.barbarahashimoto.com/press_sculptmag2001.html ; Ceramic Art and Perception: http://www.barbarahashimoto.com/press_CAP2000.html ; Coagula Art Journal: http://www.barbarahashimoto.com/press_coagula2002.html
###
K.M.Lake, M.A. - is a freelance writer and arts marketing consultant with undergraduate degrees in fine art and psychology and a graduate degree in clinical psychology. A ceramacist, painter and printmaker, her studio and business office are located in Tujunga, CA. Please contact Ms. Lake at 818.353.1916 for any information or for press services related to this press release and the upcoming exhibition by Barbara Hashimoto at Xiem Gallery. Members of the press are invited to schedule private viewings of the exhibition that meet their scheduling needs and the artist and gallery director, Suzette Munnik will happily provide special access for exclusive interviews. Additional images available upon request.
Immediate Release
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xiem Gallery, 1563 North Lake Avenue, Pasadena CA 91104 - 626.794.5833 - www.xiemclaycenter.com kathy@xiemclaycenter.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Smithsonian Artist, Barbara Hashimoto, Takes Multifaceted Talents to Ground-Breaking Ceramics Gallery
Exhibition card: http://www.xiemclaycenter.com/Hashimoto1.htm
Smithsonian Artist, Barbara Hashimoto, Takes Multifaceted Talents to Ground-Breaking Ceramics Gallery
Exhibition card: http://www.xiemclaycenter.com/Hashimoto1.htm
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA/KMLake -- September 5, 2005 -- Barbara Hashimoto, whose work "In Taxila"( clay, book and encaustic, 1998), is part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection, is staying true to her distinctive, multi-disciplinary, approach to art in using a broad range of expressive media for her exhibition opening at Xiem Gallery, Saturday, September 17th. Hashimoto, who works in ceramics, installation and performance, is difficult to categorize in traditional terms and perhaps this leads to her freedom of expression and ease of movement between complex creative disciplines. Her work both attracts and challenges the viewer. Hashimoto's unusual ability to absorb historical context, political structures and post-modern pop culture and intelligently distill these seemingly disparate realms while producing works of great sensitivity and beauty, makes her a an artist whose work will continue to provide cultural markers of international relevance for decades to come. Sculpture Magazine's Collette Chattopadhyay has described Hashimoto's style as, "Defining a circuit of exchange between East and West, between so-called low and high culture, her works both deconstruct popular and historically respected voices, pointing to their patriarchal paradigms and whispering of both the failure and dream for a greater democratization of social power." While many have strong feelings about these important issues, few have Hashimoto's talent for creating works evoke thought without overstating or imposing a certain viewpoint. Further, because her commentary appears to be a genuine expression of her personal process in understanding such challenging issues, each resulting work is aesthetically sublime and much like a whispered invitation; Hashimoto entices the viewer through great artistic talent, captures the imagination and then ruthlessly expands the captive's social reality.
While Hashimoto's sculptural work easily stands alone as a major accomplishment and she continues to produce work of quality and interest, this is clearly not enough for this hungry mind as she swiftly changes and constantly adds to her artistic repertoire. The format of her two-part exhibition allows for a clear understanding of her development over a 15-year period and a separate opportunity to experience the artist's newest works which embody her current perspective and direction. The Performance Art piece to be presented during the September 17th opening promises to provide a grand introduction to Hashimoto's part one, retrospective show, "How Comes This To Be Furnished?" Part two of Hashimoto's exhibition, "Return to Tablulae Rasae" will open on October 21st and presents her newest works inspired by the writings of John Locke. Reflecting on her choice of titles How Comes It To Be Furnished? and Return to Tabulae Rasae, the artist cites John Locke (1632-1704), credited with initiating the concept of the Tabula Rasa, or blank slate, as a preliminary stage of cognitive and affective development. The following lines are from John Locke's "Essay Concerning Human Understanding":
"Let us then suppose the mind to be, as we say, white paper void of all
characters, without any ideas. How comes it to be furnished? Whence
comes it by that vast store which the busy and boundless fancy of man
has painted on it with an almost endless variety? Whence has it all the
materials of reason and knowledge? To this I answer, in one word, from
experience."
Most recently attracting critical acclaim in the “Terra Nova” exhibition at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, Hashimoto’s work has been exhibited throughout the United States, Japan and Israel. Hashimoto's exhibition at Xiem Gallery is her first solo show in the Los Angeles area in three years. The Xiem Gallery, an emerging force in the Southern California arts community has a growing reputation for presenting contemporary ceramics of unusual quality and design innovation, provides a perfect match for Hashimoto's diverse portfolio.
[1] Chattopadhyay, Collette, "Barbara Hashimoto's Critique of Power," Sculpture Magazine, October 2001
Images of Hashimoto’s work: http://www.barbarahashimoto.com/work.html
Selected articles relating to Hashimoto's work: Sculpture Magazine: http://www.barbarahashimoto.com/press_sculptmag2001.html ; Ceramic Art and Perception: http://www.barbarahashimoto.com/press_CAP2000.html ; Coagula Art Journal: http://www.barbarahashimoto.com/press_coagula2002.html
###
K.M.Lake, M.A. - is a freelance writer and arts marketing consultant with undergraduate degrees in fine art and psychology and a graduate degree in clinical psychology. A ceramacist, painter and printmaker, her studio and business office are located in Tujunga, CA. Please contact Ms. Lake at 818.353.1916 for any information or for press services related to this press release and the upcoming exhibition by Barbara Hashimoto at Xiem Gallery. Members of the press are invited to schedule private viewings of the exhibition that meet their scheduling needs and the artist and gallery director, Suzette Munnik will happily provide special access for exclusive interviews. Additional images available upon request.