Theaster Gates Quotes

From an interview with Theaster Gates by Tom McDonough in Bomb Magazine a couple of years ago:

"There's a way of believing in the world that forces the artist and the creative in a culture to thing about materials in a loaded way. That predetermines how they will handle things, and then how those things will live in the world after."

"I don't know if what I'm making is art at all. Is it more about my relationship with my studio team? Or a conversation I'm trying to have with history? Is it a way of working through learning to believe?"

"How do I make meaning and make sense of the amassing of literal tons of raw material that is in the world to be reimagined?"

"You know, Tom, maybe I just like sweeping. It may not have anything to do with the reclamation of a past moment. Maybe sometimes it does, butit's not necessarily the creation of something new out of something old; sometimes it's just the inclination, or compulsion, to make something with what's around you, to tidy up the untidy."

"Sincerity is my irony."

Yard Signs

There's a house on Grand Avenue I like to drive past occasionally. The yard is heavy with all sorts of trees and flowers, and there are handwritten signs hanging along the front, mainly Bible verses. I was driving by this morning to see if there were any new signs, and the lady who lives there and makes the signs was outside. I stopped to ask if I could photograph the signs and we ended up talking for 20 minutes about why she makes the signs and her love for trees. More to come.

Jean-Nicolas Gérard

This documentary follows French slipware potter Jean-Nicolas Gérard as he prepares for his 2013 exhibition at the Goldmark Gallery. Jean-Nicolas describes himself as an artisan craftsman who, above all, wants his pottery to be used and enjoyed. His work ranges from small mugs, bowls, plates and dishes to large jars and press moulded platters. All are decorated with slip and many with sgraffito and finger marks. He takes the tradition of European slipware and infuses it with elements from modern painting, medieval earthenware and Japanese pottery. In the film we watch him throwing, glazing and decorating and explore the influences that nature and his surrounding landscape have on his pottery. To buy this DVD for your collection visit: http://www.goldmarkart.com/ceramics/potters/jean-nicolas-gerard.html?mode=grid

“I think technique is not important. ... Little by little I found my vocabulary.”

Handmade Headstones

Last weekend, I drove through three communities south and south-east of Little Rock – College Station, Sweet Home, and Wrightsville – looking for cemeteries, and handmade headstones, in particular.

Mt. Zion Cemetery, College Station

Sweet Home Cemetery

Wrightsville Community Cemetery

Haven of Rest Cemetery

Made my first visit to Haven of Rest Cemetery today and found a couple of handmade headstones in the few minutes I was there.

And this ...