Parkland College > Fine & Applied Arts > Art Gallery > Exhibits > Past Exhibits >
Clay 1999

Works of Clay
June 30 - August 5, 1999

Gil Stengel and Yukiko Muroe both work with clay, but the results couldn't be more different. Muroe works sculpturally creating pieces through slab construction. Stengel is a more traditional potter, often creating thrown vessels. This exhibit provides an interesting visual exchange between hand-built and wheel-thrown elements.

Muroe's work focuses on everyday life, believing that "Art exists in our ordinary life instead of extreme situations or abnormality." Muroe creates sculptural art from these impressions, capturing quiet, introspective moments in her pillow box forms. Through subtle details and careful framing she entices us to focus our attention on a small niche. She leaves this niche empty, encouraging us to take a moment for contemplation.

Stengel focuses more on the design of functional pieces. His work stems from an interest in large Minoan vessels from the island of Crete, where he has studied this ancient pottery on and off for the last ten years. He thinks of himself as a designer who uses the potter's wheel to produce contemporary patterns in celebration of the Minoan vessels. Of his work he says, "These pieces continue a long series that I will continue to work, think, and dream in."

Both Muroe and Stengel challenge themselves through the science of their art, using new clays and wood firing techniques to achieve the effect they have imagined. This exhibit is a testimony to the multitude of effects an artist can create from clay, and highlights Muroe and Stengel's talents of observation and design.

Copyright Notice: All images and photos on these pages are copyright of the artists or gallery and may not be used for any purpose without written permission.

BACK TO TOP