And just when you think you've seen it all...you haven't.
If you missed the show at the Renwick Gallery, Disrupting Craft: Renwick Invitational 2018, you may see photos of it in the catalogue or catch glimpses of some of the artists and their works here which will erase any doubts you may have about today's artists.
Four of them exhibit an amazing diversity of talents and creativity in their handmade works which connect to the world around us.
Dustin Farnsworth with his The Reconstruction of Saints, 2018/Photo by Patricia Leslie, Nov. 8, 2018
Whether you like a particular style, no one can deny the uniqueness, complexity, and sharp edges this group, all born in 1974 or later, bring to the public arena.
Continuing the biennial Renwick tradition competition which began in 2000, the selected craft artists who "deserve wider recognition" are Tanya Aguiñiga, Sharif Bey, Dustin Farnsworth, and Stephanie Syjuco. Their works were chosen by Abraham Thomas, curator, Renwick Gallery; Sarah Archer, independent curator; and Annie Carlano, curator, Mint Museum, Charlotte, N.C.
Tanya Aguiñiga, Nopal, 2017, Volume Gallery, Chicago/Photo by Patricia Leslie, Nov. 8, 2018
Photo by Patricia Leslie, Nov. 8, 2018
Ms. Aguiñiga was born in San Diego but grew up in Tijuana. An activist who questions gender and nationality, she often relies upon her background as a Mexican American for inspiration. In college she studied furniture design.
Mr. Bey was born in Pittsburgh and focuses on African- American culture and Oceania. A Fulbright scholarship recipient, he has a Ph.D. in art education from Penn State and teaches at Syracuse University.
Mr. Farnsworth was born in Lansing, Michigan where the poor economy has influenced his life and work. His XLIII concerns the 43 persons under the age of 18 who were killed by U.S. police officers in 2015. He holds a B.F.A. in woodworking and functional art from Kendall College of Art and Design.
Ms. Syjuco was born in Manila and is based in California where she teaches at the University of California, Berkeley. Her concentration is large-scale installations about political dissent and other societal issues. According to the catalogue, she is the only one included in the show without a connection to North Carolina, either as a student and/or artist.
More information about each participant and their works may be found in the softbound catalogue ($34.95) available online or in the shop.
In Disrupting press releases, the Renwick stressed the importance of choosing artists who challenge the commonplace while seeking to connect communities, and urge collective engagement, wisdom, and tolerance in the age of divisiveness.
Fifty ceramic, photographic, sculptural, woolen and fiber works were on display.
What: Disrupting Craft: Renwick Invitational 2018
When: The Renwick is open from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. every day, except Christmas Day. Disrupting Craft ended May 5, 2019.
Where: 1661 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20006, at the White House 17th Street block, adjacent to Blair House.
Admission: No charge
Metro stations: Farragut North or Farragut West
For more information: (202) 633-7970 (recorded) or (202) 633-2850
patricialesli@gmail.com
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