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The Clay Studio Presents: Jerry Bennett Constructing Form Resident Artist Solo Exhibition February 2 – February 25, 2007 OPENING RECEPTION FIRST FRIDAY, February 2, 5-9PM FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 1, 2007 The Clay Studio is pleased to be hosting a one-person exhibition of the work of Jerry Bennett titled Constructing Form from February 2 through February 25, 2007. An opening reception in celebration will be held on First Friday February 2, from 5 to 9 PM. The exhibition will be installed in our Second Floor Gallery and the public is cordially invited to attend. Jerry Bennett is a former Resident Artist of The Clay Studio, having left the program this past August after staying the full five years the program allows. He is now working in his own studio and the work included this exhibition is the culmination of his time spent in Residence. Jerry creates sculptures that allude to vessel forms, though they are unable to contain anything but his ideas. Using porcelain paper clay in their construction, his pieces are architectural in nature, and use hundreds of similar parts in their creation. His base skeletal forms serve as a foundation for the addition of various elements, both ceramic and wire, that move freely in space. This contrast, between the static and expressive, creates an interesting tension within each piece. Santa Fa Clay February 10 - March 11 PAST AND PRESENT: Resident Artists of the Clay Studio in Philadelphia Curated by Jeff Guido, Artistic Director of the Clay Studio Opening reception Friday, February 10 5:00 - 7:00 pm   Saint Joseph's University Ceramic Gallery Exhibit The University Gallery at Saint Joseph's University presents Jerry L. Bennett's "Recent Work" showing February 22 to March 31, 2005 in Boland Hall, Lapsley Lane. Did you ever hear of Porcelain Paper Clay?? Porcelain paper clay is an artistic medium that has been around for centuries, but today very few professional artists use it. Jerry Bennett is a local artist who is one of only a few artists in the country to use porcelain paper clay. Jerry makes his own clay and then creates beautiful, functional ceramic sculpture. Jerry currently teaches at The Clay Studio, Holy Family College and at Perkins Center for the Arts in NJ. He has given workshops throughout NY, NJ and PA and in Hungary. Hopefully in the near future he will continue to teach the art of porcelain paper clay in India! Jerry has a great website if you want to get a sneak peek........www.jerrybennett.net Philadelphia Inquirer Review of Show: Sunday March 20, 2005          Victoria Donohoe, Inquirer Art Critic St. Joseph's University. The unmistakable buoyancy in potter Jerry L. Bennett's clay vessels at St. Joseph's has a lot to do with the subtle color and finely detailed, thinly applied decoration of the surfaces of his jars. Work by this Philadelphia artist is informed with a purpose, energy - and an idiosyncracy - that animate everything here. In work so obviously decorative, might his next step be to spiritualize things a bit (in the manner of Matisse), so Bennett's art can be seen as the vehicle for something other than glamorous surface? St. Joseph's University Gallery, Boland Hall, Lapsley Lane at City Ave, Merion. To March 31. Mondays-Fridays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 610-660-1840. Review: April 01, 2005 Boland Hosts Bennett's Art By Maya Pawar '06 Currently Saint Joseph's University's Gallery, located in Boland Hall, is displaying the work of artist Jerry L. Bennett, a current South Philadelphia resident. Bennett received his Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in ceramics from Southwest Missouri State University in 1973 and then his Masters of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Ceramics from Indiana University in 1975. After graduating from Indiana University Bennett instructed ceramics and elementary education at Yankon College in South Dakota for two years. In 1995 Bennett became associated with the non-profit art educational organization. The Clay Studio, located in Philadelphia eventually relocated to Philadelphia in 2001 in order to become a full-time participant of the Clay Studio. He is also associated with the Perkins Center for the Arts, in Moorestown, NJ since 2002. In addition, Bennett has instructed at Holy Family University since 2002. In 2003, Bennett received the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Art Futures Grants to strengthen art programs in high schools. Recently he worked on a project to teach the art of porcelain paper clay in New Delhi, India. Throughout his artistic career Bennett has been able to present his work and hold workshops throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Canada and Hungary. Bennett's work is unique because he is one of the few artists who uses porcelain paper clay to create sculptures. Bennett makes his own clay by adding paper to the clay, which reinforces the sculptures allowing him to make smaller and thinner pieces. He prefers to use traditional forms, such as jars, baskets, teapots and pitchers to serve as starting points. According to a recent press release, Bennett's work was described as, "using small parts to create a whole, the work straddles the world of both vessels and sculpture. The actual building of his pieces is readily evident in the work showing his painstaking assembly process. The parts serve not only as a decorative motif, but through their repetition, they form a pattern which not only envelops the surface but also defines the line and structure of the forms. The work is both architectural and organic creating a natural tension between both worlds." Bennett describes his own work in his artist statement, "It is my aspiration as an artist to create objects with a strong visual identity that reflects functionality, but are more than just a vessel. Through use of color, texture and movement, my work shows an evolution, which I hope, results in a straightforward and graceful statement. I enjoy many aspects of my art that is rooted in function, but I feel the important part is the play of form and texture [...] My recent work involves references to traditional forms such as jars, or objects with an implied function. Applying non-traditional materials, I am attempting to redefine these functional or traditional objects. By using paper fibers mixed with the wet clay, I have been exploring very thin, highly textured surfaces. This technique of paper clay, which to my knowledge has rarely been done allows for many unique visual opportunities. The challenge that has taken thirty years of my life is to make modern objects that reflect this contrasting view of traditional forms with a unique material." Jerry L. Bennett's work will be displayed on Lapsley Lane until March 31, 2005. For more information on the artist please visit www.jerrybennett.net. 12:54 PM in Intellect | Permalink TrackBack TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/2165155 The Clay Studio Resident Artist Show Jerry Bennett "The Seed Jar Series" March19 through May 2, 2004. First Floor, Harrison Gallery Jerry Bennett: Seed Jars Resident Artist Solo Exhibition Click here for Press Release Gallery Talk: Thursday, April 22 at 6:30PM Refreshments will be served at 6:00PM Location: The Clay Studio Harrison Gallery (First Floor) Death in the Cove 17" x 6" x 6" $800 (Sold) Totem -Looking at Time, A Tribute to Africa 21" x 9" x 9" $1,500 Basket with the Opportunity for Change 14" x 6" x 15" $1,900 Jack 18" x 11" x 14" $1,000 (Sold) Tall Coral Pot 16" x 19" 10" $1,750 (Sold) Myaquez 25" x 10" x 10" $1,300 Spring Dance at Ponci 23" x 18" x 13" $1,200 Artist's Statement It is my aspiration as an artist to create objects with a strong visual identity that references functionality, but are more than just a vessel. Through use of color, texture and movement, my work shows an evolution, which I hope, results in a straightforward and graceful statement. I enjoy many aspects of my art that is rooted in function, but I feel the important part is the play of form and texture. My use of texture is the most evident characteristic of my work. There is a term "horror vacui" which refers to a fear of empty spaces and has been used by historians to describe Islamic Pottery. Like these potters, I also find my greatest satisfaction comes from thoroughly filling surfaces with color and finely detailed decoration. My recent work involves references to traditional forms such as jars, or objects with an implied function. Applying non-traditional materials, I am attempting to redefine these functional or traditional objects. By using paper fibers mixed with the wet clay, I have been exploring very thin, highly textures surfaces in the intricately assembled vessel forms. Using small parts to create a whole, the work straddles the world of both vessels and sculpture. The parts serve not only as a decorative motif, but through their repetition, they form a pattern which not only envelops the surface but also defines the line and structure of the forms. This technique of porcelanious paper clay, which to my knowledge has rarely been done, allows for many unique visual opportunities. The challenge, that has taken thirty years of my life, is to make modern objects that reflect this contrasting view of sculptural forms with a unique material. It is always difficult to explain my art in that it is very personal and based on a process of discovery. I am reminded of the artist Peter Milton, when asked to write a statement defining his art replied, "I would be a sad father indeed if these children weren’t able to speak for themselves". -Jerry L. Bennett, 2004 Artist Biography Jerry Bennett received his B.F.A. in Ceramics from Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield, Missouri in 1973. His M.F.A. in Ceramics was obtained in 1975 from Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. He has taught workshops on paper clay at various venues throughout the world, including University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, 2001; Hands on Clay, Long Island, NY, 2001; and The Banff Center, Banff, Alberta, Canada, to name just a few. He has exhibited at galleries and art centers throughout the country. Jerry was recently invited to participate in a residency at The International Ceramic Studio (ICS) in Kecsketmet, Hungary for a month this summer. Here he will join 6 other paper clay artists to discuss the material, make work and share ideas, which may result in major advancements in the field. Symbols of Selection 16.5" x 10" x 8.5" $800 Emerging from the Soil: A Tribute to Aftrica 12.5" x 10" x 9" $2,000 Installation Views One in Ten, Detail $1,500 One in Ten, Detail One in Ten, Detail Note: There are 10 pieces total in One in Ten. Each piece measures approximately 11" h x 11" d x 5" w Available in The Clay Studio Shop Small Blue Mantel Vase 11" x 8" x 6" $100 (Sold) Red Teapot 8" x 8" x 4" $90 (Sold) Red Rider Teapot 9" x 11" x 4" $200 (Sold) Square Red Teapot 8" x 8.5" x 3" $175 NOTE: To purchase any of the work seen here, please contact Megan Brewster at 215.925.3453 ext. 10 or email her at megan@theclaystudio.org. Link to the artist's web site here Return: back to top of page Back toHomepage Contact us: info@theclaystudio.org Directions  for getting to the clay Studio, 139 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA  Phone:  215-925-3453 Traveling I-95 North (From Delaware or Philadelphia International Airport & points south) Follow I-95 North (around the airport) until you see signs for Exit #17 (Central Philadelphia;  Independance Hall; Callowhill) Take Exit 17 and get into the right lane to follow Independance Hall/Callowhill. When coming off the ramp, get into the left lane and make a left onto 4th St. (2nd light). Take 4th to Race St. and turn left and follow Race to 2nd street - make a right. You will see The Clay Studio on the left side of the street. From New York or New Jersey (points north and east) Take Exit 4 off the New Jersey Turnpike. Follow 73 North to 38 West. Then take 38 West to 30 West. WATCH CAREFULLY Follow all signs that say CAMDEN/PHILADELPHIA to the BEN FRANKLIN BRIDGE. Go over the bridge Take the 6th ST. SOUTH/INDEPENDENCE HALL Exit. At this exit, go ALL THE WAY around to the right. Keep staying as right as you possibly can, so that you are headed back parallel to the bridge. This street dead-ends into 4th St. Take a right on 4th, a left at the first light (Race St.) and a right at the 2nd light (2nd Street). The Clay Studio is halfway down the block on the left. From 76 E (points west) Take Exit # 344, on your left, toward Central Philadelphia - Vine St. Expressway/I-676 E/US 30 E Turn right onto the exit for Vine St. expwy/I-676 E/Ben Franklin Bridge Turn right at the end of the ramp onto 6th Street. Turn left onto Race and then right onto 2nd. The Clay Studio is halfway down the block on the left. PARKING Patriot Parking Lot at 230 Race Street Central Parking System lot at 218 Arch Street On street metered parking- Race Street has 3 hour meters.