Sorrow/Fullness: A Reflection on Mourning
Haas Center for Performing Arts Gallery (PAC 1121), Allendale Campus
January 14, 2022 - April 1, 2022
Opening Reception: January 20th, 2022, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Hours:
Monday - 10am-5pm
Tuesday - 10am-5pm
Wednesday - 10am-5pm
Thursday - 10am-7pm
Friday - 10am-5pm
Closed:
January 17, 2022 (MLK Day)
March 7-11, 2022 (Spring Break)
This exhibition features the work of three metalsmith artists; GVSU Professor of Jewelry, Metalsmithing and Foundations Renée Zettle-Sterling, Sue Amendolara, and Adrienne Grafton.
"Through our personal experiences of significant loss, as artists, it felt natural for us to deal with our grief through artmaking. What you see in this exhibition are the tangible results from transformative experiences and profound explorations. The work offers a wide range of materials and perspectives on the topic of mourning and is a look at how three trained metalsmiths, working in sculpture, jewelry and wearable art, have dealt with and processed grief. It is our hope that by sharing our loss and shedding light on our perspectives the viewer will step into a transformative space with us. Ultimately, this exhibition is an expression of love for those who have passed and those who walk alongside us. While we feel great sorrow for our loss, we are fulfilled by our experiences." - Renée, Sue, and Adrienne
Artwork by Renée Zettle-Sterling, Sue Amendolara, and Adrienne Grafton.
About the Artists
Renée Zettle-Sterling received her MFA in Sculpture and her MA in Metalsmithing from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Zettle-Sterling is a Professor of Art and Design at Grand Valley State University. She has exhibited and lectured on her work nationally and internationally and is featured in many publications. Zettle-Sterling also served as President of the Society of North American Goldsmiths from 2012-2016. She recently co-authored, with Jen Townsend, an award-winning book titled CAST: Art and Objects Made Using Humanities Most Transformational Process.
Renée Zettle-Sterling, Object of Transition: Home #3, Cast of Artist’s Hand in Paper Pulp, Copper, Fabric, Gold Leaf, Courtesy of the Artist
Renée Zettle-Sterling, Objects of Transition: Home #11, Courtesy of the Artist
Renée Zettle-Sterling, Objects of Transition: Home #4, Cast of Artist’s Hand in Paper Pulp, Copper, Fabric, Beads, Courtesy of the Artist
Sue Amendolara was born in Youngstown, Ohio, USA. She received a Master of Fine Arts degree in Jewelry Design/Metalsmithing from Indian University,Bloomington, Indiana and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. She currently teaches Jewelry Design/Metalsmithing at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. She served as President of the Society of North American Goldsmiths from 2011-2014. She is currently a member of the Board of Governors at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN. Her metalwork has been exhibited regionally, nationally and internationally in galleries and museums and is part of the permanent collections of The Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington D.C. and the White House Collection of American Crafts, Washington D.C.
Sue Amendolara, Help Me Say Goodbye, Sterling Silver, Holly, Printed Silk, Courtesy of the Artist
Sue Amendolara, Light, Sterling Silver, Bronze, Lemon Citrine, Courtesy of the Artist
Sue Amendolara, Sisters, Holly, Sterling Silver, 18K Gold, Printed Silk, Courtesy of the Artist
Adrienne M. Grafton lives and works in the Virgin Islands. She earned a MFA in Metal Design from East Carolina University in 2005. With her jewelry background, she created wearable work for many years using silver, copper, gold and brass and adorned the work with gemstones, pearls and enamel. The pieces were inspired by emotions and personal metaphors. Most recently she is creating sculpture influenced by her emotional state following her mother’s passing. Grafton has shown her work and taught workshops throughout the United States. Her work has been published in a variety of books including The Art of Enameling and Art Jewelry Today 3. She worked as the Metals Studio Coordinator at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina from 2005 to 2007 and taught metals and foundations part time at Edinboro University in 2008 through 2016. She was also a resident artist at Salem Art Works in 2014 in Salem, NY. Her 2018 solo show, Departed, traveled from Hope Center for Arts and Technology in Sharon, PA to Greensboro College in Greensboro, NC. Her most recent solo show, Transplant, was on view at Pittsburgh Center for the Arts and Media from July to August of 2019. She is an organizer for the Allegheny Metals Collective, a Pittsburgh based group dedicated to exhibiting together and sharing knowledge through demonstrations and lectures.
Adrienne Grafton, Year After Year After Year, Wood, Balloons, Sterling Silver, Brass, Steel, Courtesy of the Artist
Adrienne Grafton, Grief Sash-No Self Esteem, Steel, Cotton, Thread and Brass, Courtesy of the Artist
Adrienne Grafton, Her Me, Poplar, Steel and Sterling Silver, Courtesy of the Artist
A quick-reference guide to the exhibition themes as well as discussion prompts for educators to incorporate into their teaching.
A list of books, articles, and other media related to the exhibition available from the GVSU Libraries in a variety of formats including print and digital.
Events, both in-person and virtual, related to this exhibition and others.
Location
January 14, 2022 - April 1, 2022
Haas Center for Performing Arts Gallery (PAC 1121)
Haas Center for Performing Arts, Allendale Campus
1 Campus Dr.
Allendale, MI 49401
Contact
For special accommodation, please call:
(616) 331-3638
For exhibition details and media inquires, please email:
Joel Zwart, Curator of Exhibitions
[email protected]
For learning and engagement opportunities, please email [email protected].