MFA Spring Member Show
“Anthem” by Andrew Smith of Visual Realia
I'll be taking this piece ("Anthem") south (Annapolis) for the Maryland Federation of Art's juried Spring Member Show this May. More info on visiting the exhibit when we get closer.
Hope in the Balance: Ukraine
"Hope in the Balance"
Clay Monoprint on Pellon
18" x 32"
Andrew Smith/Visual Realia
“Hope in the Balance” - Clay Monoprint by Andrew T. Smith of Visual Realia
"Hope in the Balance"
Clay Monoprint on Pellon
18" x 32"
by Andrew Smith/Visual Realia
The blue and yellow flag is associated with Ukraine and its long struggles with independence, having been flown by soldiers in Kyiv in 1917. The flag was banned under Soviet rule but began appearing again in 1990. It was raised above the Ukrainian Parliament in September of 1991.
In this monoprint, fissures appear in the wheatfields and lands, and the national flower, the sunflower, serves as the sun, both potentially rising and setting. Hope is in the balance.
The colored interruptions in the sky are efforts of the art to speak - echoes of past prints appearing, perhaps in a visually appropriate way: clouds of war. This monoprint is a larger work, using the full clay slab (matrix) used to design the image.
"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. This is not a way of life at all in any true sense. Under the clouds of war, it is humanity hanging on a cross of iron."
― Dwight D. Eisenhower
Jingle Ball 2021
Top image: Adams County Arts Council
Adams County Arts Council's Jingle Ball
Saturday, December 4th, 6-11 PM
The Gettysburg National Military Park Visitors’ Center
I’ll have only one hour at the Adams County Arts Council’s annual fundraising gala, the Jingle Ball, to design, paint, pull, seal, and frame a print that will go up for auction to benefit the non-profit. Should be challenging — and fun!
The bottom portion of the image above shows the clay matrix that I’ll be designing on prior to the gala. Some of these elements may impact the finished print.
Elemental: Earth, Fire, Water, Air 2021
Visual Realia was pleased to have a print in the juried Maryland Federation of Art online "Elemental: Earth, Fire, Water, Air 2021" exhibit.
“Shattered Earth”
Clay Monoprint Workshop — November 2021
Andrew Smith is offering a one-session clay monoprint workshop at the Adams County Arts Council in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday, November 10th, from 1-4 PM. Participants will use printmaking techniques with colored clay slips to create vibrant monoprints. Basic techniques will be introduced, followed by an open studio format where artists can explore and create their own works. Everyone will leave with two completed prints.
Questions may be directed to Andy at ostman4200@comcast.net. Registration information is available at:
https://www.adamsarts.org/portfolio-item/printmaking-with-clay/
"Pigment" Reception & Exhibit Extension
Andrew Smith’s (Visual Realia) “Pigment” exhibit is extended through August.
The “Pigment” exhibit of clay monoprints by Andrew Smith of Visual Realia has been extended through August and refreshed. The exhibit for the month has twenty-six works, with seven prints new to the Gallery display.
The exhibit can be seen during the Adams County Arts Council’s regular hours, or by contacting Andy for after-hours access. In addition, the exhibit will be part of the Arts Council’s First Friday reception, running from 5-7:30 PM on Friday, August 6th. Andy will be present and will have the clay matrix used for the prints in the gallery. Questions are welcome!
The Adams County Arts Council is located at 125 South Washington Street, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.