Date: Fri 25-Jun-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: JUDIR

Quick Words:

Neuberger

Full Text:

Neuberger Museum Of Art Exhibits

(with cut)

PURCHASE, N.Y. -- "Clay Bodies," an exhibition of dynamic and Expressionist

clay sculpture by artists Barry Bartlett, Peter Gourfain and Arnie Zimmerman,

will run through August 22 at the Neuberger Museum of Art.

The exhibition addresses the differentiation between objects that constitute

useful articles and objects that are purely works of art. This conceptual

distinction represents a relatively recent view in European and American

thought. But as a point of view it has gained significantly in the United

States during the past half century.

In the current vernacular, clay is associated primarily with "crafts"

(handicraft) -- a skillful execution intended for decorative and functional

purposes such as bowls and coffee mugs. However, clay is a medium that can be

used for expressive, aesthetic and high art communicative purposes as well.

Today's clay artists deal in sculptural objects; their work goes far beyond

the creation of the functional.

The three artists featured in "Clay Bodies" work in a figurative tradition;

yet they create clay figures to express rather disparate points of view.

Peter Gourfain centers upon social and political concerns; Arnold Zimmerman's

interest tends to the moralistic; Barry Bartlett presents fantasy in tableau

format.

The artists' viewpoints reflect literary, cultural and philosophical awareness

and their creations reveal clear relationships with the art of past eras.

Bartlett's fairyland-like tableaux units are juxtaposed to create what the

artist calls a "dialogue." Bartlett presents objects that are abstract yet

suggest a representational motif.

"Drift" features five clay "penguins" on a watery, probably icy, blue latex

expanse set on the floor, allowing us to become more directly involved with

the scene.

Peter Gourfain's politically focused work depicts the virtues and the vices --

especially greed -- of present life. "The Fate of the Earth" (1984-98),

depicts the ecological wreckage of humans who pit themselves against the

environment -- hunters slaughter animals, marauders massacre the vanquished.

Arnie Zimmerman's stoneware deals with representational imagery, writhing

shapes and exaggerated scale. His first excursions into massive, monumental,

masculine vessels projected the traditional notion and functional form of the

base into the realm of contemporary sculpture.

Zimmerman's "Dry Fountain" series establishes a spiral formation projecting

above the floor. Water pumped to the top trickles down the sides for

recycling. The spiraling liquid proclaims Zimmerman's inclination for

swirling, fluctuating movement.

"In their work, these artists capitalize upon clay's inherent qualities to

synthesize and breathe life into a concept," says exhibition organizer Judy

Collischan, PhD, the Neuberger Museum of Art associate director for curatorial

affairs.

She continues, "Peter Gourfain uses clay to actualize and present his personal

beliefs; Arnie Zimmerman uses clay to illustrate moral significance; Barry

Bartlett uses clay to reveal a romantic, open-ended legend or folk tale. Each

of these artists has succeeded magnificently in endowing clay bodies with

human nature and form."

The Neuberger Museum of Art is located on the campus of Purchase College,

SUNY, Westchester County. Museum hours are 10 am to 4 pm Tuesday through

Friday, 11 am to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday. For information, call 914/251-6100.