October 2012 / Teeth
Nola Avienne
Bridgework 68/89, 2012
Plaster dental model, Sculpy,
magnets, iron filings, acrylic, shellac
3.5" x 2" x 4.25" closed;
2.12" x 2.25" x 8.25" open
Alan Bur Johnson
Murmur: Haiku, 2012
Steel, glass, photographic transparencies
Detail (overall dimensions 48.75"" x 2.75" x 1")
Christopher Buening
31 Tin Foil Teeth and One Gold One, 2012
Tin foil, spray paint, satin/clear spray varnish,
epoxy resin, mylar tape, rubber cement
(not all materials are in every piece)
Dimensions vary, but each tooth
is approx. 2" x 2" x 3.5" each
Jennifer Zwick
Bouquet With Condoleezza, 2012
Archival pigment print
25" x 25"
Jennifer Zwick
Bouquet With Condoleezza (detail), 2012
Archival pigment print
Nola Avienne
Christopher Buening
Alan Bur Johnson
Jennifer Zwick
Teeth
October 03 – 27, 2012
Reception / Thursday, October 04, 6–9pm
Teeth are essential yet disturbing and sometimes painful. Four artists gnawed over their personal experience and response to the subject of teeth. The result is crowning achievement and a biting commentary, filling all cavities of the gallery.
Through sculpture, Nola Avienne continues to explore and manifest her fear of all things related to teeth. An array of plaster dental molds inspired disturbing works with sensual surfaces, evoking tension and seduction, humor and repulsion.
Christopher Buening uses the topic of teeth as a portal for his history with medical mishaps, dreams and tooth-related events, retelling his stories with an emphasis on the painful, the strange, and the amusing, employing familiar materials and visual puns.
Alan Bur Johnson creates transparent photographic sculptures that explore the beauty and frailty of natural structures and organisms. In his Murmur series, images of sun-bleached and weather-beaten elk and deer teeth appear sensual, anatomical, and flesh-like. Referencing traditional poetic structures, each layered image in his wall-mount compositions functions as a syllable, creating a visual voice that echoes in shadows cast upon the wall.
For this show, Jennifer Zwick continues a new series where lush bouquets of flowers obscure all but the most recognizable traits of celebrities.
Press for Teeth:
The Stranger Suggests: "Teeth".
Article by Jen Graves. The Stranger, Vol 22, No 5, October 2012.
Chew on this: strange art about teeth.
Article by Michael Upchurch. The Seattle Times, October 14, 2012.
Pioneer Square Gallery Guide: October 2012.
Article by T.S. Flock. Vanguard Seattle, October 2012.
First Thursday Art Walk. Flavorpill, October 2012