Drawing on themes as varied as cave art and poetry to Gee’s Bend quilts, Atlanta painter Michael Barringer creates abstract works alive with layers of color, energy and emotion. His paintings bring these disparate influences together in a visual language that is uniquely his own. “I think a question which is always present for me…
Inspired by the raw beauty of the North Carolina mountains, Asheville-based jeweler Laura Lau Klein creates bold, organic pieces that celebrate the natural world. For Klein, jewelry is more than adornment. It is a daily celebration of ourselves and the world around us. Artist: Born and raised in Wilmington, DE, Klein holds a BS in…
Through her ceramics and printmaking, Ina Kaur explores themes of entanglement and detachment, being and becoming, displacement and belonging. “My practice investigates the intersections of materiality, memory, migration, gender, labor and identity,” said the New Orleans artist. “Examining how identities are shaped by the people, places and the histories we carry with us.” Artist: Kaur was…
What looks like feathers is actually recycled plastic. For North Carolina environmental artist Deborah Kruger, the transformation is intentional. Kruger uses one of the most ecologically destructive materials to create intricate feathered artworks honoring endangered birds, languages and cultures. Her art reflects the losses caused by climate change, habitat fragmentation and human consumption. Artist: Born…
Language is at the heart of Esteban Patino’s creative practice – even when the words themselves don’t exist. Using an invented alphabet of shapes and symbols, the Atlanta-based artist creates collages, paintings, and sculptures that explore how we communicate, interpret meaning and make connections. “I have always been captivated by how humans create and play with language,”…
For Kate Schultz, inspiration is often found just outside her door. Drawing on the quiet beauty of her backyard, the North Carolina painter creates works that invite viewers to bring nature indoors –and to slow down long enough to notice life’s fleeting moments. Artist: Schultz was born and grew up in Jackson, MS. Her interest…
For Jessica Beels, materials are more than a medium. They’re the starting point, and they often hold the message. Drawing on found objects and unexpected materials, the Kentucky artist creates sculptures and installations that invite viewers to reconsider their relationship with the objects they use, discard – and often overlook. Artist: Born in New York City,…
When Robyn Gibson first stepped into a boxing gym, she found more than a new workout. The Kentucky artist discovered a source of movement, confidence, and healing that now influences her charcoal drawings and ceramic sculptures. Through curvy, gestural female figures, Gibson explores the power of taking up space, a theme rooted in both her…
Whether hiking a forest trail or exploring a new town or gallery, Audrey Laine Sawyer is always observing. The North Carolina metalsmith and jewelry designer draws on those experiences to create wearable and sculptural pieces that explore the intersection of nature and modern design. Artist: Sawyer grew up in Cincinnati, OH, and received her BA in…
For Landis Carey, color is more than an artistic choice. It’s an experience. The South Florida ceramic artist began seeing vivid colors during meditation while recovering from a rare pancreatic cancer diagnosis in 2018. Those powerful visions now inspire the richly layered surfaces of her functional pottery and large-scale ceramic installations. Artist: Carey was born…