Walnut Gallery discovers “Tea in a Flower Garden”, an exhibition of ceramic sculpture by renowned artists Steve Loucks and Lynnette Hesser, February 25 through March 31. A gallery talk and opening reception will be held Friday, February 25, at 7 pm. Admission is free and open to the public. A one dollar donation is recommended, but not required.
The exhibit, “Tea in a Flower Garden”, represents a first for Walnut Gallery. It is the gallery’s first exhibit to exclusively showcase three-dimensional work. Steve Loucks and Lynnette Hesser, the artists behind the exhibition, are two of the most recognized names in fine-art ceramics in the southeast. Their work has been featured in numerous national publications and the pair has hosted the Alabama Clay Conference three times. Walnut Gallery will display a diverse collection of the couple’s more recent work, including traditional functional pottery, elaborately carved sculptural pottery, and wall hanging sculpture.
Artist Statement
“My work plays upon traditional pottery forms that transcend function while embracing it. Divided between utilitarian pottery and glorified, functional vessels, both intentions share similar sensibilities and handling of the clay. Information and ideas from one intention feeds the other. My utilitarian pottery is elegantly or whimsically designed to perform with ease and delight making the everyday occasion a special, pleasurable experience. The glorified vessels are based upon functional pouring vessels but abandon utilitarian concerns for a sculptural approach to form, surface embellishment, and presentation. They pay homage to utilitarian pottery due to its diminishing use, roll, and importance in our present day society.” – Steve Loucks
Steve and Lynnette often work in symbiotic collaboration. Often Steve makes the forms which he then releases to Lynnette who carves into the forms or embellishes them with geometric and floral designs. Together, they glaze and fire the pieces to complete their collaborative works in clay.