Interdependence

Interdependence is a continuation of KAC’s legacy of juried shows.

This exhibition is juried by George Rodriguez.

Meet the Juror:

George Rodriguez addresses sensitive sociopolitical issues through his highly ornamented figurative ceramic sculptures. His work is disarming and made accessible through the use of humor, decoration, and an homage to historical traditions. Themes of culture and identity recur throughout his sculpture, celebrating the unique attributes of diverse cultures as well as the similarities that unite us all.

Born and raised in the border city of El Paso, TX, Rodriguez holds a BFA in ceramics from the University of Texas El Paso and went on to receive an MFA from the University of Washington. His world curiosity grew as a recipient of a Bonderman Travel Fellowship where he traveled the world through most of 2010. His work can be found in the permanent collection of the National Mexican Museum of Art in Chicago and the Hallie Ford Museum in Salem, OR.  He has received awards including the Museum of Northwest Art’s Luminaries’ Patti Warashina Award for Emerging Artists. George is represented by Foster/White Gallery in Seattle, WA and is the Artist in Residence at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia.

In the words of the Juror:

As we have spent more and more time in isolation we learn in depth about the people, structures, institutions and environments that are vital for our continued growth. There are new connections forged and different norms of navigating social interactions. We adjust to a changing world even when the change seems to happen rapidly.

I wanted to give artists an opportunity to express this sudden shift. To me, that can be a deeper introspective look at routines that have been disrupted. It can be a new connection with nature that flourished because we found time to visit the peonies every day. It can be the video chats with friends that transformed into karaoke sessions or the memories and hopes of gathering with strangers once again as we move out of the fog and into a gallery.

The work in this exhibition points to different aspects of interdependence. From figures gathering in a large crowd, an intimate procession, or two people unable to touch because of a thin barrier, it is apparent that connections are present. Even while looking towards a non-descript window, we get a glimpse of color, nature, and care. As stones support each other and scraps of fabric create a tight weave, we are all stronger together. We rely on each other and our surroundings.

My sincere gratitude to all the artists that submitted work to the call and those lending their artwork for our viewing. Thank you.

Exhibition Dates: May 27-July 31, 2021.

Artists

Ana Aguirre
Jacqui Beck
Neil Berkowitz
Cheryl Chudyk
Kate Clark
Carrie Howard
Tori Karpenko
Karisa Keasey
Karey Kessler
Bella Kim
Karen Klee-Atlin
Seth! Leary
Edward Nelson
Megan Prince
Gary Rubin
Denise Snyder
Jan Tervonen
Maxine Tu
Veronica Villasenor
Patrick Vincent