Clarksville, Ark. --- The University of the Ozarks' Stephens Art Gallery will host an exhibit by Russellville artist Winston Taylor titled "Recent Works In Clay" throughout the month of October as part of the university's 2008-2009 Artist of the Month Series.
The exhibit will run through Oct. 29 in the gallery, located in the Walton Fine Arts Center. There will be a reception to meet the artist from 6-7 p.m., on Thursday, Oct. 16, in the gallery.
A native of Arkansas, Taylor has been teaching pottery at the Arkansas River Valley Arts Center in Russellville since 1990. He said his love for working with clay started when he was a student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in the 1970s. "It touched me and the potential for expression has kept me entranced ever since," he said.
Taylor credited several artists for have an influence on his art.
"Paul Soldner and Don Reitz taught me to do what clay wants to do naturally; Harvey Sadow showed me the enchantment of raku, and Adelphia Martinez taught me the importance of dedication and patience and that art is a catalyst between all cultures," Taylor said. "Inspired by an intensive workshop with Peter King, I have also created large scale architectural works such as sinks, tile, columns and relief sculptures."
Taylor’s work is often raku fired and intended as objects of art. His wheel thrown vessels often reflect a contemporary style with inspiration from Native American pottery, a response to simple, natural, found objects or the addition of abstract compositions of clay. He also uses other firing techniques such as stone polishing earthenware and firing with manure or horsehair.
Taylor and his wife, Kristen, live in Russellville. Their daughter, Megan, is an interior designer in Fayetteville.
Topics: Exhibit