"No guts. No story." Four short words, but they pack quite a wallop.
When I enter the Deseret News each day, I'm greeted with these words. Jerry Johnston - the staff writer with whom I share a terminal - pasted this sage advice on the side of the monitor to remind him, me and others that our writing should be daring, courageous and vigorous.As I made my gallery visits last Tuesday, I suddenly realized that the same principle applies to art. "No guts. No art." Many great works of art are created by artists who take chances and approach their art with energy and determination.
- My first stop? The Bountiful/Davis Art Center, where the Davis County Competition 1992 is on display.
As I walked through the galleries, I noted that I passed quickly by works that were drab, stale and unimaginative; but I stopped abruptly when I encountered eye-riveting art by gutsy artists.
Brisk brush strokes and elimination of detail make Rob Adamson's "Self Portrait" and Neil Norda's "Singing Hills" sing.
Norma Forsberg surprises the viewers with two new styles. She's one painter who refuses to stay in a stylistic rut. In fact, her entries "Three Plus Two" and "Planes of Existence" are two of the best in the show.
There's nothing timid about Lynn Cozzens' application of paint, even though he shows some restraint in "Winter Branches." In "Autumn Landscape," however, he pulls out all the stops.
Iletta Green won first place for her large watercolor "Iris." However, it's her small, abstract painting "Trees" that reflects a more vigorous, gutsy approach.
Lovers of abstract art will be drawn to Ruth Hewlett's small, energy-packed watercolor "Organic Impulse." And Diane Turner departs from landscape subject matter to paint an effective still life, "Pomegranates and Grapes."
Jurying the show was Charles Loving, assistant director of the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. He said he looked for quality, a word he defines as "a judgment of the content or meaning of a work of art, an analysis of the formal organization and an assessment of craftsmanship."
- At the Utah Design Crafts Gallery, nine designers of body ornaments (more commonly called "jewelry") fill glass display cases with work that's both gutsy and daring. These jewelers definitely have something to say; and they know how to manipulate the materials to say it effectively.
As Ric Blackerby creates silver jewelry (necklaces, rings and pins), he draws inspiration from ancient civilizations and cultures who viewed the world and the universe as mysterious, magical places. "I try to capture that feeling and fuse it with the present," he says.
Lorin Thunell says his innovative metal jewelry is the result of "the compilation of basic design ideas and concepts, the choice of appropriate materials that suit the design and the manipulation of tools and techniques to carry out the intended idea."
When Donna McAfee constructs her organic jewelry from sheet metal, she emphasizes surface textures. She says, "The fun of making jewelry is, for me, the extra challenge of designing artwork that is totally functional. It has to be comfortable, easy to utilize and pleasurable."
Stephanie Saint-Thomas' distinctive earrings, pins and necklaces have been hand-painted on art board, wood and acrylic surfaces. She enhances them with foil, glitter and stones. Then she covers the entire surface with a high-gloss resin. The results are dazzling.
Other innovative jewelry being displayed are creations of Carla Jimison, Randy Fullbright, Steve Hansen and Ken and Jim Hard-wick. The show was curated by jeweler Frances Garrett.
- Dolores Chase is definitely a fan of the gutsy artist. Take one look inside her gallery and you'll discover that.
She's always searching for artists whose work is contemporary, imaginative and daring. It's not surprising some of her regulars are Wulf Barsch, Lee Deffebach, Doug Himes and Layne Meacham.
When I stopped by her gallery last week, I found Chase hanging a new show "Introductions, '92." Already in place were photographs by K.C. Muscolino, leather sculpture by Fred Lyman, paintings by Willamarie Huelskamp, figure studies by Shao-Yuan Zhang and watercolors by Barbara Hunter. And there are monotypes by Lyman, Huelskamp and Zhang - one of the best being Lyman's "Heaven/Hell/Horses #1."
Currently, Chase is searching for young, emerging artists to become members of "LeftBank at Pierpont," a new co-op that will feature art that's on the cutting edge.
The space, located a little north of Chase's gallery, is a drab, unfinished warehouse with a cement floor. Although it lacks the colorful decor found in the Dolores Chase Gallery, it will serve as an appropriate backdrop for colorful, innovative and avant-garde art exhibitions and installations as well as music and dance performances.
Selection of co-op members is currently underway. Each member will be expected to pay annual dues of $135 plus 15 percent commission of works sold at LeftBank. Interested artists who feel they meet the qualifications are invited to apply by contacting Dolores Chase Gallery before the July 15 deadline.
Three new members of Left- Bank are presently displaying their works in the co-op's first exhibit. Titled "Three," it features art by Cory Fillmore, Clay Marsh and Geoffrey Vaughn.
Fillmore creates large and small sculptures from found metal; Marsh assembles collage-type wall sculptures; and Vaughn displays large-scale paintings and floor sculptures."Three" remains through July 2 at the LeftBank at Pierpont, 242 S. 200 West (328-2787). Hours are noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.
"Introductions '92" continues through July at the Dolores Chase Gallery, 260 S. 200 West (328-2787).
"Jewelry Invitational" will be displayed through July at the UDC Gallery, 34 W. 200 South (359-2770). Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
"The Davis County Competition 1992 exhibition can be seen through July 2 at the Bountiful/Davis Art Center, 21745 S. Main (292-0367).