gallery representation

Meyer Gallery
Park City, Utah
www.meyergallery.com

artist statement

My wood sculpture focuses on illusion; a sense of Tromp l’Oeil (fool the eye). Altering form yet maintaining the integrity of the wood is an important part of my art work. I choose to leave the wood in it’s “naked” state without color to emphasize the purity of the material.

By using one light source focused directly on the sculpture dramatic contrast between light and shadow is created. The subject matter is generally symbolic of events or life experiences.

I prefer to use Basswood; a fairly soft wood that is clear having few knots or serious grain. The neutral warm color compliments my pieces.
Long wood planks are planed, straight edged, then glued together to form a tight lamination. Basic shapes are cut with a bandsaw. The majority of my sculptures are carved by hand using chisels, knives, wraps, and sandpaper. On larger pieces a Dremil or angle grinder are introduced.

The “chain series” were symbolic of my transition from the real estate industry back into the art world. The metal looking parts appear to be Assemblage but in fact they are also an illusion. The chain links and metal looking parts are hand carved wood, painted to look like metal. The colored timbers are reclaimed wood; dyed rather than painted to allow the texture to show.

The “colored panels” are also reclaimed, dyed wood. Each section is designed to contrast the shape and the color of the parts within the piece.

Wood is inspirational. The earthy aroma fills the senses when wood is cut. I find the physical manipulation of the form intriguing. Wood speaks to me; wood has soul.

Design, shape, and space relationships are conscious considerations when creating my sculpture. The natural wood sculptures read as supple, organic; visually sensuous throwing perception into question.

Precise craftsmanship with attention to detail are critical elements in the execution of my sculpture.

Bio

Born in Salt Lake City, Shirley has always been passionate about art. As a child, she was referred to as “ the artist in the family”. Shirley’s Mom gave her a cartoon book at an early age where she started drawing animals through the use of connecting circles, ovals and other shapes to create the figures. Drawing has always been an important part of her design process filling sketch books with ideas over the years. Preliminary drawings are always a must before the 3-D process of sculpture begins even today.

Having a deep respect for nature, gathering organic materials and found objects have been ever present in Shirley’s life. It was years before Shirley realized that others did not see things as she did; how light hits the trees and creates various shadows and hues of color, how objects reflect in water, or to recognize various shapes and patterns within flowers and plants.

Shirley earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Utah in 1980. She graduated Magna Cum Laude majoring and minoring art. In addition an art teaching degree was achieved; a career in the arts seemed eminent. As life would have it, many personal obstacles arose and employment outside the art world followed.

At the height of Shirley’s career, working thirty years as a successful Realtor, in 2010 she left the industry to pursue art as a full time professional. If not now, when? As a “self taught” wood sculptor, it was time to do what had heart and meaning. It was time for Shirley to re-connect with her passion.

EXHIBITIONS

Art Access 300 Plates Show, Salt Lake City, Ut. 2014
Alderwood Fine Art Show, Salt Lake City, Ut. 2013
Commissioned Dedication Sculpture, Salt Lake Arts Council: Finch Lane, Salt Lake City, Ut. 2013
Face of Sculpture, Salt Lake City, Ut. 2013
Art Access 300 Plates Show, Salt Lake City, Ut. 2013
Springville Art Museum Spring Salon juried show, Springville, Ut. 2013
Art Access 300 Plates Show, Salt Lake City, Ut. 2012
Art Access Artist juried show, Salt Lake City, Ut.2012
Springville Art Museum Spring Salon juried show, Springville, Ut. 2012; Merit Award
Springville Art Museum Spring Salon juried show, Springville, Ut. 2011
Utah Arts Council Annual juried show, Salt Lake City, Ut. 2010
**Realtor: 1983-2010
Utah Arts Council Annual juried show, Salt Lake City, Ut. 1980
Kimball Art Center juried show, Park City, Ut. 1980
Alvin Gittens Gallery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Ut. 1980
Salt Lake City Arts Festival; invited demonstrating sculptor 1981
Art Space Artist, Salt Lake City, Ut. 1983

AWARDS

Springville Art Museum Spring Salon Show; Merit Award 2011
Magna Cum Laude Graduate, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Ut.1980
Florence Ware Art Tuition Scholarship, University of Utah, SLC., Ut. 1979
Ford Foundation Tuition Scholarship, University of Utah, SLC., U. 1978
Soroptimist Award, Salt Lake City, Ut. 1978

EDUCATION

Ian Norbury, Co. Wood sculpture, 2013
Anderson Ranch Art Center, Snowmass Co. Metal Sculpture; Mark Cesark 2011
Anderson Ranch Art Center, Snowmass Co. Wood Relief; Jeffrey Brosk (NY) 2009
Paul Davis, Utah; Oil painting 2009
Good Hope Plantation, Jamaica; Aluminum casting; James Surls & John Scott 2000
Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Ut. 1980
Secondary Art Education Certification, University of Utah, SLC, Ut. 1980