Glass Half Full Exhibit

HOUSTON, TX. ? - 18 Hands Gallery presents, The Glass Half-Full, featuring liquid ceramics?vessels for pouring and drinking. An astonishing array of teapots, tumblers, pitchers and vases, covering a variety of techniques by top local ceramic artists, are on view July 5 -31, with the opening reception on Saturday, July 12, from 6pm-9pm, at 18 Hands Gallery, 249 West 19th Street in the Houston Heights. Works in the show include pieces by the five founders, Karen Cruce, Betsy Evans, Albert Goldreich, Katy McKinin and Jim Shea, along with artists represented by the gallery, and several new potters selected by each artist. Anything that can hold liquid is the concept. Potters put a lot of thought into just how people interact with the artful objects they craft. Does the teapot pour without overflowing? Does the pitcher pour without spilling? Does the cup caress the lip? Does the mug fit well in the hand? ?Sometimes form trumps function,? says McKinin, ?so expect variations on the expected for ordinary items. Goblets and tumblers may pitch and lean, and pitchers and teapots may twist and turn.? Cruce finds the idea of holding liquid an enticing and intimate theme. ?The idea is wide open and can include such a broad variety of work,? says Cruce. ?We hope to make it an annual event.? She is working on a set of new tumblers where she finds size makes all the difference. Cruce seriously considers the experience of actually using her work. ?I like the human scale of this body of work. The tall and narrow shape of a glass is so intriguing to me. I also consider the comfort of the glaze against the skin; there even needs to be a pleasant texture to the mouth.? Cruce is also delighted to include Jessica Faulk, one of her former students, in the show. ?She does black clay and slip work which is really quite rare,? says Cruce. ?Glazes look absolutely gorgeous on it.? Evans will be showing a combination of wheel-thrown and hand-built work using a palette mixing vivid and earthy tones. Evans is known for the sensual quality of her vessels, which exude a strong personality. She describes her pitchers as having ?sexy lines.? ?I love the way a pitcher can mimic a body shape,? says Evans. ?Often, I take my work off its center axis, giving the work a little attitude, some sass.? Gouged textures also create rich surface interest, and the spouts often add a surprising element. Because shape and line are featured so prominently, Evans likes to keep her glazes simple. ?There has to be visual rest somewhere.? A strong African influence can be seen in Goldreich's design-centered work, which is characterized by distinct decorative and utilitarian flavor. He will be showing both slap and wheel work in a collection of pitchers, vases, bottles and bowls all containing his highly graphic signature. ?I've spent 27 years developing my style,? insists Goldreich. He enjoys the idea of the show but admits, ?There's no need to actually put anything in my bowls. They can be a centerpiece and a focal point just as they are.?