Time and Presence
September 3 – September 27, 2024
The work in this exhibition will showcase narrative and metaphoric expression in both painting and ceramics from the Artists Jenny Mendes and Janis Mars Wunderlich. Using cellular-like patterning and a natural palette in her watercolors, ceramic sculpture and functional ceramics, Mendes derives narrative imagery of both human and animal that she draws intuitively from her subconscious. Wunderlich’s acrylic paintings and Ceramic sculptures use dramatic shifts in scale and describe many figures in one setting oftentimes with lush ornamentation; they depict complex personal relationships that are inspired by her experience as a daughter, mother, friend, partner, and teacher.
The reception will be in the Fawick Gallery Lobby from 5-8PM on September 26, 2024.
EXHIBITION DATES
September 3, 2024 – September 27, 2024
Reception: Thursday, September 26, 5 pm–8 pm
Location: Kleist Center for Art & Drama
Department of art
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Janis Mars Wunderlich
I am a story-teller, creating visual narratives about human fragility and resilience. I combine animal and human imagery to evoke a universal commonality that communicates the complexities of our lived experiences. I grew up in Ohio the eldest daughter of ten children in a devoutly religious family (Mormon and Amish) with a Cherokee folk-artist grandfather. My memories flow as a curious blend of his Native story-telling imagery and cultural mythology synthesized with distinctive spiritual doctrine and rituals. The chaotic adventures of growing up in a huge pod of siblings has awakened my interest in exploring themes of dualities and contrasts, particularly as they relate to origin or creation stories.
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This body of work explores duality, fragility, and our vital human connection to nature. My grandfather would often share stories of people and nature interacting in relationships that were reciprocal or mutually beneficial. My aim is to weave together universal mythologies to create lush visual landscapes that illustrate complexities and vulnerabilities of being human.
Bio:
Janis Mars Wunderlich grew up in Kent, Ohio in a Mormon family of ten children. She has a BFA from Brigham Young University and an MFA from The Ohio State University. Her detailed ceramic sculptures capture the dualities and complexities of being human, inspired by historical ceramic figurines and from her Cherokee-folk-artist-step-grandfather Edwin George. Wunderlich’s sculptures are in exhibitions and museum collections throughout the world, including Yingge Ceramic Museum in Taiwan and The American Museum of Ceramic Art in CA. She is the recipient of many awards including an Illinois Arts Council Fellowship, Ohio Arts Council Grants, Greater Columbus Arts Council’s Dresden, Germany Residency Grant and multiple grants from the Virginia A. Groot Foundation. Wunderlich mothered five children while actively making art, as documented in the film, WHO DOES SHE THINK SHE IS? Wunderlich is now a grandma who has a passion for bow-hunting, swimming, marathon running, and is an associate professor of art at Monmouth College in Monmouth, IL.
Embrace
2021, Handbuilt ceramic, underglaze, glaze, glass, 30″ x 21″ x 18″
Woman in the Woods
2024, Acrylic on canvas 10″ x 12″ x 2″
Birthing the World
2022, Handbuilt ceramic, underglaze, glaze, glass, 18″ x 12″ x 9″
Apron Strings
2019, Handbuilt ceramic, underglaze, glaze, 28″ x 18″ x 14″
Safe Haven
2023, Handbuilt ceramic, underglaze, glaze, glass, 23″ x 16″ x 8″
Healing the Unicorn
2023, Watercolor paper, Watercolors & Gouache, 16” x 16”
Miracle Worker
2023, Watercolor paper, Watercolors & Gouache, 16” x 16” 2023
jm-003_SummerEquinox
2023, Watercolor paper, Watercolors & Gouache, 11” x 15”
Butterfly plate
2022, Terracotta clay – cone 03, Underglazes and Glaze, 10.5” x 1”
Sun plate
2024, Terracotta Clay – cone 03, Underglazes and Glaze, 8.5” x 1.25”
Jenny Mendes
Jenny Mendes was born in Cleveland Ohio. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Ceramics from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri in 1982 and continued her education at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina. Years later she returned to Penland School as a resident artist for three years and as well as instructor. She has continued her education and exploration of the ceramic arts through participation in residencies and symposiums in Paris, Macedonia, Slovenia, Turkey, Serbia, The Netherlands, Philippines, Latvia, Greece, Georgia and in fall 2024 Cyprus. Jenny has taught ceramic workshops across the United States as well as internationally. Currently she lives and works in Chesterland Ohio as a fulltime studio artist. Her works primarily in ceramics and more recently in painting, are an imaginative exploration of the internal and external landscapes of the psyche.
95 East Bagley Road
Berea, Ohio 44017
(440) 826-2152
[email protected]
MONDAY: 2:00pm - 5:00pm
TUESDAY: 2:00pm - 5:00pm
WEDNESDAY: 2:00pm - 5:00pm
THURSDAY: 2:00pm - 5:00pm
FRIDAY: 2:00pm - 5:00pm
SATURDAY: CLOSED
SUNDAY: CLOSED
BY APPOINTMENT (440) 826-2152