May/June Artscope: 10th Biennial State of Clay

Molding Their Visions: State of Clay in Lexington

May/June 2018

REVIEW

10TH BIENNIAL STATE OF CLAY
LEXINGTON ARTS & CRAFTS SOCIETY
130 WALTHAM STREET
LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
MAY 5 THROUGH JUNE 3

By Taryn Plumb

There are forlorn figures of bare-foot young women wearing insects as accessories.

“Wooden” Trojan horses with functional wheels.

A modern-day interpretation of Cerberus, the (typically three-headed) Greek hound of Hades bearing an inscription from Virgil,

“And his triple jaws forgot to bark.”

Varying in scope, size and subject matter, the unifying element of these pieces is one of the oldest artistic mediums known to humans: clay.

“What does clay say and where is it going?” asked Alice Abrams, exhibit co-chair and co-founder. “It keeps expanding in its creative reach and its ability to say different things.”

It’s a question that the Lexington Arts and Crafts Society has posed for more than 20 years.

The answer — resulting in 10 exhibits over the past two decades — has varied and evolved with the times, politics, popular culture and fashion. This year is no exception, with the 10th Biennial State of Clay representing everything from women’s role in society, to family values, to ancient archetypes; as well as the inherent beauty, versatility and classic function of the age-old medium.

One of the region’s foremost shows dedicated to clay, the Biennial features the work of 70 Massachusetts artists. It will be on display at the Society’s space in Lexington, Mass. through June 3; the exhibit will also feature an artist reception and talk with juror Emily Zilber on May 6 from 2 to 5 p.m.

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