King's work connects the Past with the Future.
Art Review by Tom Kilian
The work of Inner Banks photographer Ashlee King has graced the covers of North Carolina publications. A native of Tyrrell born into the Spruill family,
Art Review by Tom Kilian
The work of Inner Banks photographer Ashlee King has graced the covers of North Carolina publications. A native of Tyrrell born into the Spruill family,
Ashlee has recently focused on what comes as a second nature to her. Not surprising is Ashlee's ability to frame the farmers life within her camera. What is uncanny is Ashlee's skill at capturing the emotion that bubbles up when the industry of agriculture merges with human interaction.
Images of sun drenched children running through a field of yellow buttercups, a farmer son resting in the huge rim of a mud clad tire, likened to a hammock, and a red cheeked infant smiling on a time worn swing, all declare that past and future go hand in hand.
Images of sun drenched children running through a field of yellow buttercups, a farmer son resting in the huge rim of a mud clad tire, likened to a hammock, and a red cheeked infant smiling on a time worn swing, all declare that past and future go hand in hand.
"It is evident that Ashlee King captures the exuberance of youth by engaging the child within her world, the farm."
Apparently her ability is the fruit of the fond playful memories that she had projected upon the industry as a youth, which as an adult, would otherwise be snuffed out by the reality of the difficulties that face farmers.
I believe Ashlee's right brain passion of art has now spilled forth bringing balance to her life that would otherwise be consumed with her advocacy of preserving the agriculture industry that has secured the life of her predecessors.
I believe Ashlee's right brain passion of art has now spilled forth bringing balance to her life that would otherwise be consumed with her advocacy of preserving the agriculture industry that has secured the life of her predecessors.
Grown and married to a farmer, she leads the Columbia seniors club of Tyrrell county's 4-H, sits on the Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher State Committee as well as authors a monthly column about agriculture in Tyrrell County, within the Scuppernong Gazette. Her Column brings broader awareness and appreciation to the food chain expressing how her county's farmers play a vital role in putting food on the consumers table.
On a telephone interview, Ashlee confides " When folks see the bright green machines parade down the road, I want to help them to realize that it is not all cakes and roses, I want to help them make the connection". With a firm feet in rural heritage and her camera pointed to the next generation, Ashlee King is one photographer to keep your eye one.
To commission Ashlee King and experience her portraiture, visit her studio website at http://www.songsouthphoto.com
Pitt County's Jonathan Bowling - "reconstituted, recycled, reused, re purposed and now Revered"
July 4th 2009 - review by Kilian
Unique forms of sea creatures, earthly beasts, women and whimsical faries are depicted within the work of Jonathan Bowling's sculptures. Upon approaching the work of Bowling, the viewer notices that the negative space within his work has an ability to take on a life of itself. While most sculptures we view are solid through out, Bowling's unique incorporation of line and form within a figure harmonizes in such a way that merges both solid and open air space. Step a little closer, and you might be reunited with friends or foes of the past. A rake head, saw blade, cog or spindle, found objects abound within the figure. Auto parts, farm equipment , even parts from Bowling's old sculptures now have new life.
"reconstituted, recycled, reused, re purposed and now revered parts that once had found themselves tossed to a heap of union, now stand proud and erect with unity. Bowling confesses that the found objects he discovers within the Inner Banks sometimes inspire his work by the forms they suggest, other times they are mere metal members of a larger vision that Bowling arrives at then grinds, torches, welds and bends into submission to fulfill his vision. When asked what his work means to him Bowling simply replies " "it's about making something from nothing, real creation." Jonathan Bowling elaborates " I find steel to be a particularly forgiving medium, structural yet malleable, it easily lends itself to assemblage. Each recycled fragment I use carries with it a link to its past function. Together, all of these links form a narrative in the unconscious that goes beyond just form in space." This is a story which takes us from abstraction and the figure to a sort of portraiture, a look at ourselves and our lives through our physical and material culture.
Bowling work has it all.. and Juror Linda Dougherty of the 2009 Sculpture show in Cary took notice. Dougherty is the Chief Curator of Contemporary Art at the North Carolina Museum of Art and although her lofty position allows her to speak Ex Cathedra about the work she judges, when it comes to Jonathan Bowling's work, she is only reverberating our own thoughts of his unparalleled approach to the found object. Full of life and vitality, dead objects are once again resurrected. The impressive images you view to the right are just a mere thumbnail sketch of Bowling's work. to get a close encounter with the approachable master of metal, studio visits are encouraged.
For more information on the artist, please visit: www.jonathanbowling.com or call 859.248.2688.
Unique forms of sea creatures, earthly beasts, women and whimsical faries are depicted within the work of Jonathan Bowling's sculptures. Upon approaching the work of Bowling, the viewer notices that the negative space within his work has an ability to take on a life of itself. While most sculptures we view are solid through out, Bowling's unique incorporation of line and form within a figure harmonizes in such a way that merges both solid and open air space. Step a little closer, and you might be reunited with friends or foes of the past. A rake head, saw blade, cog or spindle, found objects abound within the figure. Auto parts, farm equipment , even parts from Bowling's old sculptures now have new life.
"reconstituted, recycled, reused, re purposed and now revered parts that once had found themselves tossed to a heap of union, now stand proud and erect with unity. Bowling confesses that the found objects he discovers within the Inner Banks sometimes inspire his work by the forms they suggest, other times they are mere metal members of a larger vision that Bowling arrives at then grinds, torches, welds and bends into submission to fulfill his vision. When asked what his work means to him Bowling simply replies " "it's about making something from nothing, real creation." Jonathan Bowling elaborates " I find steel to be a particularly forgiving medium, structural yet malleable, it easily lends itself to assemblage. Each recycled fragment I use carries with it a link to its past function. Together, all of these links form a narrative in the unconscious that goes beyond just form in space." This is a story which takes us from abstraction and the figure to a sort of portraiture, a look at ourselves and our lives through our physical and material culture.
Bowling work has it all.. and Juror Linda Dougherty of the 2009 Sculpture show in Cary took notice. Dougherty is the Chief Curator of Contemporary Art at the North Carolina Museum of Art and although her lofty position allows her to speak Ex Cathedra about the work she judges, when it comes to Jonathan Bowling's work, she is only reverberating our own thoughts of his unparalleled approach to the found object. Full of life and vitality, dead objects are once again resurrected. The impressive images you view to the right are just a mere thumbnail sketch of Bowling's work. to get a close encounter with the approachable master of metal, studio visits are encouraged.
For more information on the artist, please visit: www.jonathanbowling.com or call 859.248.2688.
