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The Quicksilver Mine Co.
6671 Front St. (Hwy. 116)
Downtown Forestville

PHONE: 707.887.0799
FAX: 707.887.0146
MAIL: P.O. Box 844
Forestville, CA 95436

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In Material:
Conversations on Qualities of Materiality

Art-Making and Material Transformation

March 4, 2011—April 10, 2011

The Quicksilver Mine Co. presents In Material: Conversations on Qualities of Materiality, an exhibition featuring three artists whose approach to their materials differ but combine to explore the transformative and connective qualities of substance, texture and medium through their shared artistic process. This exhibition opens on Friday, March 4th, and continues in the Gallery through April 10th.

Postcard for In Material: Conversations on Qualities of Materiality

Northern California artists Susan Field, Brooke Holve and Elizabeth Sher met after each participated in separate artist residencies at the New Pacific Studio in Mt. Bruce, New Zealand. After returning to the United States, they began a conversation that slowly evolved into a shared creative process, culminating in this exhibition at Quicksilver.

Addressing materiality through interactive artistic conversation, their three paths have come together to reflect the ways that process and (a variety of) materials affect the quality of artistic emotional engagement.

"Chair," (detail) by Susan Field
"Chair (detail)," by Susan Field

Susan Field's work embodies her interest in material and texture, using fur, metal, beads, stones. Connecting unlike things though the labor of sewing allows her to transform disparate objects through her own slow, reflective work process.

"Beaded Stones," by Susan Field
"Beaded Stones," by Susan Field;
stones, beads, thread; 2008

Together in this Show, Sher, Holve and Field use material and process to express a collective sense of tangible artistic mystery though visual works that waver between thought and sensation, feelings and ideas.

"Storm," by Elizabeth Sher
"Storm," by Elizabeth Sher

 

Brooke and Elizabeth installing the show
Brooke and Elizabeth installing the show

 

"Ball & Chain" (Nod to Susan D), by Susan Field
"Ball & Chain" (Nod to Susan D), Susan Field,
mixed media, yarn, fabric, found objects, 2009

 

Left: "Low Flow," Elizabeth Sher; Center: Algae Installation & Video, Brooke Holve & Elizabeth Sher; "To Mnemosyne," Brooke Holve
Left: "Low Flow," Elizabeth Sher; Center: Algae Installation & Video, Brooke Holve & Elizabeth Sher;
Right: To Mnemosyne, Brooke Holve

 

"Remnants," Susan Field, recycled fabric, rabbits feet, waxed twine, canvas backing, 2010
"Remnants" (detail)
(Encaustic paintings in background by Kathleen Thompson)

 

click on images for larger views

An Artist Reception for In Material: Conversations on Qualities of Materiality will be held on Saturday, March 5th from 4—6pm.

Also, join Susan Field, Brooke Holve and Elizabeth Sher for a Gallery Talk and Conversation on Thursday, April 7th beginning at 7pm.

"Gourd Blinks," by Brooke Holve
"Gourd Blinks," by Brooke Holve; book board, cloth, covers, silk, silkscreen print; 28" X 19"; 2010

Looking at the changing role of books in the face of technology, Holve uses silk, book remnants, prints and her own distinctive process of cutting and recombining parts and pieces to explore material interaction and tangible emotion.

"1111," by Brooke Holve
"1111," by Brooke Holve; algae/mixed media

Film and artwork are unified through Elizabeth Sher's intangible storytelling, mixing medium and process, handwork, digital images, paint and mixed media, leading to aesthetic decisions and new artistic possibilities.

"Portrait of the Artist as a Sucker," by Elizabeth Sher
"Portrait of the Artist as a Sucker," by Elizabeth Sher; archival ink on metal; 11" X 14"; 2010

 

"Bars n Tone," by Elizabeth Sher
"Bars n Tone," by Elizabeth Sher

Joint Artists' Statement

Brooke's solo show in 2004

Installation, by Susan Field
Installation, Susan Field, used toy railroad track, zippers, metal snaps, film strips, thread, 2010

 

"Bars n Tone," by Elizabeth Sher
"Bars n Tone," Elizabeth Sher, ink, acrylic paint, mixed media on canvas & panel, 2009

 

"Book Blinks #2," by Brooke Holve
"Book Blinks #2," Brooke Holve,
book board, cloth, covers,
organza silk, 2010

 

"To Mnemosyne" (diptych), by Brooke Holve
"To Mnemosyne" (diptych), Brooke Holve, book covers, piano parts, metal, 2007