November 12—December 24, 2011
Mindy Solomon Gallery, 124 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, FL
Josh DeWeese’s loosely articulated forms are both casual and commanding in his new body of work entitled, “Expressions in Form.” Josh DeWeese’s contemporary collection reveals painterly surfaces, ongoing experimentation with a variety of different glazes and finishes fired with salt/soda processes. Josh is intrigued with how his art can be brought into daily life to nourish the mind as well as the soul.
Josh DeWeese’s work has many influences-particularly an Asian inspired aesthetic, “I have traveled in Asia, but not really studied formally there. However, I studied at the Kansas City Art institute, and that is where my love of Asian ceramics began, through the teaching of ken Ferguson, as students we had access to the Nelson Atkins Museum across the street, and they have a fantastic collection of Asian Ceramics.”
“Initially I was drawn to Japan with Shino and Oribe ware, but also love Korean pots, I became a huge fan of Korean Puncheong ware, the balance of whimsy, skill, intuitive science, and humanity. I have spent the most time in Korea, and am inspired by the skill and direct approach of traditional Onggi potters, and the warmth of the Korean people.”
Featured in his first solo show at the Mindy Solomon Gallery enjoy a large grouping of new works that includes painterly vessels based in tradition with contemporary wall pieces that celebrate sublimated drawing and abstract expressionism.