October 9th 7-9 pm 

Nick Cave Exhibit Opening in Austin

Nick Cave

Hiding in Plain Sight

September 29–
December 30, 2012

First Floor Gallery and Film & Video Gallery

The Jones Center

American artist Nick Cave (b. 1959) makes hybrid work that exalts high culture while reveling in low culture, and effortlessly invokes the artistic traditions of at least a dozen nations. He fashions assemblage sculptures, or “Soundsuits,” of found materials: hooked rugs, figurines, toys, twigs, hair dyed outlandish colors, and every variety of button, sequin and bead. African ceremonial costumes are an evident inspiration, along with those of Mardi Gras Indians, glittery Haitian flags, Southeast Asian embroidery, and the spectacle of queer drag culture. A former dancer with the celebrated Alvin Ailey Dance Company, Cave finishes every piece before trying it on to see how it moves and sounds. Videos of performers in the Soundsuits will accompany the focused selection of sculptures on view in the gallery.
Soundsuits make the figure larger than life while masking the wearer’s face. The vaguely humanoid costumed figures are ambiguous, striking notes that range from buoyant whimsy to eerie menace. Despite their visual exuberance, Cave made his first Soundsuit of twigs as a sort of armor for the black male in response to the Rodney King incident and the L.A. riots. Cave wants viewers to think deeply about the world we inhabit and to use their imagination and fantasies to find hope and empowerment. Of his role as an artist, performer, and teacher, Cave says, “The arts are our salvation—the only thing that allows us to heal and also helps us dream about what will make the world a better place. I have a responsibility to the world to do something with my abilities as an artist.”

IMAGE: Nick Cave, Soundsuit, 2011, Dogwood twigs, wire, upholstery, basket, and mannequin, 86 x 36 x 28 inches, James Prinz Photography, Chicago. Courtesy of Nick Cave and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York.

Call for Entries:
"Interwoven IV: Accessorize!"

18 HANDS GALLERY, LLC
249 W 19TH STREET, STE B
HOUSTON, TX 77008
info@18handsgallery.com

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: October 1, 2012

 Now in its fourth year, our annual celebration of fiber arts this year turns the focus on fiber accessories of all kinds. “INTERWOVEN IV: Accessorize!” is a juried exhibition that will run from November 3, 2012 through November 14, 2012. Fiber should be the primary medium – cloth, yarn, paper, basketry, felt or leather are all possible materials. Accessories may include, but are not limited to hats, belts, jewelry, scarves, brooches, wraps, purses, etc. This exhibition is open to all fiber artists in the United States. Work must have been completed within the past 2 years. A maximum of 5 pieces per artist will be reviewed.

Prizes
All accepted entries will be eligible for “Best of Show” ($200) and “People’s Choice”($150) Awards. Images of all winning pieces will be featured on 18 Hands Gallery website during the month.
Juror
“Interwoven IV: Accessorize!” will be judged by Barbara Kile, an award-winning Houston-area fiber and mixed-media artist and instructor, recognized widely for her distinctive hats, purses and felted jewelry. A former Resident Artist at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Barbara has taught a variety of workshops in felting and millinery arts throughout the region and is currently an instructor in the Fashion Department at Houston Community College in Houston, TX.

This September @ The Croft Gallery

Focus on Fiber 2012