Form and Function at the Mindy Solomon Gallery

The creation of art establishes material connections between people and their life experiences. Whether one finds comfort in the warm embrace of hands wrapped around a steaming tea bowl or the seductive lure of a landscape swathed in a palette bathed in blue light, some measure of ease has been conveyed.

Our homes not only provide basic shelter but provide respite from the noise of the outside world. When a residence sits empty, its function is unclear and lacks personal identity. As the environment begins to fill with objects, a sense of connection and ownership is created. The forms that imbue the physical space function as a manifestation of its occupants, imparting their individual tastes. Forms that serve a useful purpose are one manner in which we define ourselves.

The artists represented in Form and Function are seasoned professionals in their chosen medium. Phil Epp, landscape painter and lover of nature continually reinforces his vision by simply looking out onto the grand vistas of his beloved Flint Hills. His evocative landscapes enthrall and entrance. The bucolic clouds and vast horizons open a window to a world we yearn for. His technical mastery is evident.

Bede Clarke is an artist who has finely honed his craft. "My goal in making this work has been to create quiet, simple pots, which like a good meal, leave a healthy, full feeling." Clarke wants his work to be lived with and to be used on a daily basis.

Josh DeWeese's loosely articulated forms are both casual and commanding; their swirling painterly surfaces adorn and serve on many levels. He is attracted by the mystery of high-fired ceramics and the element of chance that occurs in atmospheric firing. DeWeese is intrigued with how his art can be brought into daily life to nourish the mind as well as the soul.

McKenzie Smith creates work that is influenced by humble folk traditions, notably Asian ceramics. He creates functional pots that are lively in design and allow the malleable nature of clay to be seen; his craftsmanship inspires a sense of comfort and ease.

Brian Sarama, the youngest artist of the group, creates sculptural teapots and cups that bring a sense of the outdoors into the interior world. His celadon glazes and heavily carved thrown and hand-built forms redefine high craft by incorporating representational sculpture into functional ware.

Each of the artists represented in Form and Function create work that is distinguished in aesthetic integrity coupled with a mastery of skill. Their individual artistic vision provides the viewer with an opportunity to enrich their lives by being surrounded by objects of beauty.