Expressions in Wood, Glass, and Bamboo

It's supposed to be a two-artist show, but when Charlie Katzenbach's and Norine Kevolic's latest work debuts at the Artists' Gallery on September 7, visitors will see immediately that "Expressions in Wood, Glass, and Bamboo" relies very heavily on the artistry of a third. Call her "Mother Nature".



Kevolic has been creating mosaics in wood for more than 20 years. The recent bamboo mosaics mark a smooth expansion to her Meditations series of paintings and silverpoint drawings. "For this show, I wanted to illustrate how my ideas and abstract thoughts find symbolic expression in natural materials," Kevolic says. "Each mosaic represents a single idea that surfaced during the creative process, while also incorporating another interesting way to use bamboo. My intention was to bring out the subtle beauty and versatility of the material in an elegant way." To find out more about Kevolic and her work go to www.norinekevolic.com.



Katzenbach, whose preferred medium has primarily been oil painting on glass, here also embraces wood, in the form of downed tree limbs. Inspired by a log "bird house" she made for New Hope Arts and an exhibit she participated in at the Monmouth Museum, Katzenbach has created a group of sculptures made from tree crotches. "With names like ‘Getting Closer to Yew' and ‘Reflections on a Beech,' this work is intended to be both humorous and handsome," says Katzenbach. "I'm eager to see what the public thinks." Katzenbach's work can also be seen at jerseyarts.com where she is the September featured artist of the NJ Council On The Arts.

Although Charlie's and Norine's aesthetics are different, they share a profound respect for the natural world and for craftsmanship. In addition, they both find inspiration in the spiritual. You might say, in fact, that their roots are the same. And so, ultimately, their pieces work well together and complement each other.