Wood is often seen as nothing more than a substance used to make functional, day-to-day objects, but The Dairy Barn is showcasing this material as more than just something to sit on.
The Far Side of Function: Contemporary Wood Sculpture, which runs until Nov. 22, showcases pieces ranging from small wooden teapots to a full-scale sculpture piece composed of large wooden spirals, called First Law of Sculptural Dynamics by Hisham Youssef.
The Dairy Barn Arts Center, 8000 Dairy Lane, has hosted wood sculpture exhibits before, but this exhibit highlights less functional works.
Michael Stadler, curator of the event, said he tried to combine both functional and non-functional pieces for the exhibit, leading to a mixture of fine art renditions and high-end quality craftsmanship.
Many of the pieces are one of a kind. It is the first time that something like them was created - you can't really refine that much more
he said.
Then you look at Jennifer Anderson's chairs and she makes Scandinavian furniture and there is a craft in all of it that has been refined over and over.
It is disappointing that wood sculpture is often overlooked, considering the amount of time that goes into creating the pieces, Stadler said.
The process is longer [than other types of art]. The utility of it is also different. There is a function to the pieces here
or they imply function
hence the term 'The Far Side of Function
' he said.
This exhibit, which features 60 pieces by 22 artists from the U.S. and Canada, is one of four art exhibits hosted by The Dairy Barn throughout the year. December is the only month without an art exhibit, Executive Director Andrea Lewis, said.
Although this particular exhibit focuses on national art, The Dairy Barn also features local artists.
We do have a time of the year
winter
when local artists submit their work. The other months are usually more national in scope
and we bring artists from all over so people can see things that they normally wouldn't be able to
The Dairy Barn's Exhibitions Director Jill Smalley said.
Overall, the exhibit is meant to show another side of wood sculpture, Stadler said.
It's kind of pushing the boundaries of what is functional
what is furniture
