While our Tiny Gallery Series at Tapp’s Arts Center will conclude on Thursday night, we are working to find locations for the interim month Tiny Galleries as we wait to move into our new home in 5 Points.
Jasper is excited to welcome esteemed sculptor and visual artist Eileen Blyth to the Tiny Gallery Series on Thursday, December 5, 2019 during our final Tiny Gallery show at Tapp’s Arts Center.
The Tiny Gallery Series, under the direction of Jasper Project board member Christina Xan, was developed in 2018 as a unique way to challenge artists to create smaller art pieces at smaller price points, consequently allowing for collection and appreciation of art by art lovers on more fixed budgets, including young folks who are just starting their careers, students, and artists themselves. During this time of year, it’s also a great time for Christmas shopping for your special friends.
We are particularly excited to host local sculptor and visual artist Eileen Blyth, whose work is typically large scale and sometimes sight specific.
2011
2012
Originally from Charleston, Eileen has always thought of herself as a painter. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Charleston where she studied under William Halsey and John Michel.
Halsey’s use of color, texture and humor was an influence on how she approached her work. She also studied graphic design at The University of South Carolina.
According to Blyth, “There are times when I have an idea in my head of how a painting or sculpture will go. Most always, as I work, a completely different thing happens, as if the paint or object had a plan of its’ own. Somewhere between building a structure or making and erasing marks there is a shift. It is that moment of knowing, of seeing that shape or line, of finding the composition that is the exciting thing for me.”
“On the Fence”
Blyth continues, “My head is full of thoughts, conscience and sub-conscience. I am in conversation, or meditating, over analyzing, or simply joyfully reacting to an environmentally inspired mood. Bold lines are followed by quieter thoughtful ones as if i am having a discussion; debating. Sometimes it amuses me. Sometimes it is frustrating. I am digging in, digging deep. It has to feel authentic. I am trying to discover, not just repeat the same words over and over. My mood may change from one day to the next so balancing the conversation, being consistent in thought; one conversation at a time, is impossible. I usually work on 4 or 5 pieces at a time, turning from a painting to a sculpture and then to yet another painting in one session. Starting on the floor, I may be moving paint and lines around. Then, I find myself in another corner of the studio playing with a piece of worn wood and rusted nails. It makes perfect sense that I see my lines in my sculpture and my sculpture in my drawings but it always surprises me. I like experiencing that same moment of surprise when a viewer, for just one second, isn't sure what they are looking at.”
Join us at the Jasper Project Studio #7 tomorrow (Thursday) night, December 6th starting at 6 pm for our final Tapp’s Tiny Gallery as we celebrate the work of Eileen Blyth.
Artist Eileen Blyth