Curator’s Corner | “Branching Out” with Mark Gardner
This week, we're highlighting artist Mark Gardner, one of our exhibiting artists in Branching Out: Works in Wood from North Carolina.
"I was born in Cincinnati, OH. Woodworking was my father's hobby, and I was introduced to it through him. However, it wasn't until I attended a two week class at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in 1996 that I was 'hooked' on the wood turning process. I moved to Saluda, NC in 2000 and have since focused on my woodworking."
- Mark Gardner
Mark uses several different kinds of wood in his work. His wall sculpture in the exhibition, "Shield," is made using maple, which is grown in Northeastern North America. It's a hardwood with a range of color, including nearly white, cream, red, and gold. It has a tendency to burn when it's run through high-speed machinery, but it can be machine cut or cut by hand.
"Inspiration for much of my decorative work comes from my interest in mid-century modern design. My sculpture is inspired by Oceanic and African art. There is a looseness to Oceanic and African forms and carvings that I admire. This contrasts with ceramics of the mid-century modern era, which are much tighter. I find it a stretch for me to incorporate some of that looseness that I love from the Oceanic and African art into my sculpture, but it's well worth the effort for me creatively."
- Mark Gardner
Both of Mark's works in the exhibition are detailed with milk paint, which is a nontoxic water-based paint that has been utilized for thousands of years. As the name suggests, it's often made with milk's casein protein, and pigments are added to produce a range of colors.
"Shadow" and "Shield," the two works Mark has in our exhibition, are both sculpture, but he also creates beautifully crafted functional work. Be sure to check out more on his website at www.MarkGardnerStudio.com.