Ceramics by Shalene Valenzuela
October 30- November 30, 2019
Shalene Valenzuela was born and raised in Santa Barbara, California. She received a BA in Art Practice at the University of California at Berkeley and an MFA in Ceramics from California College of Arts and Crafts. Her work will be on display at the John Natsoulas Gallery from October 30th to November 30th. Join us for the opening reception of this exhibition on November 9th from 7 to 9 pm! Also on display will be works by Wayne Thiebaud.
“My ceramic sculptures reflect upon a variety of issues with a thoughtful, yet humorous and ironic tone. I reproduce everyday common objects primarily through slipcasting, and illustrate the surfaces with handpainted imagery. The narratives I create reference fairytales, urban mythologies, consumer culture, societal expectations, etiquette, politics, and coming-of-age issues. Stylistically, my imagery is pulled from somewhat dated sources that represent an idealized time in society and advertising. Beneath the shiny veneer of these relics hides a complex and sometimes contradicting truth of what things seem to appear as upon first glance.”
“My works are essentially a form of trompe l’oeil with a twist. In using clay to reinvent everyday objects, I play with the notion that things are not what they initially seem to be. The object being referenced remains recognizable while the illustrations are imperative in creating the narratives that weave various dialogues and statements within and about the physical object.”
DATES
Start: October 30
End: November 30
OPENING RECEPTION
November 9th, 7:00–9:00pm
Shalene Valenzuela, A Toast to Burning Desires: Salacious Secrets, 2019, slipcast earthenware, porcelain, underglaze illustration, 9" x 11" x 5"
Shalene Valenzuela, A Toast to Burning Desires: Good Luck Charm, 2019, slipcast earthenware, underglaze illustration, 7" x 9" x 5"
Shalene Valenzuela, A Toast to Burning Desires: Beauty Tips, 2019, slipcast earthenware, underglaze illustration, 9" x 11" x 5"
Shalene Valenzuela, It's Sharp (Pencil Sharpener), 2019, Slipcast earthenware, cone 6 porcelain, underglaze illustration, 8" x 4" x 4"
Shalene Valenzuela, Full of Lead (Pencil Sharpener), 2019, Slipcast earthenware, cone 6 porcelain, underglaze illustration, 8" x 4" x 4"
Shalene Valenzuela, Potholder: Up in Flames II, 2019, Slipcast cone 6 porcelain, underglaze illustration, 8' x 8" x .25"
Shalene Valenzuela, Potholder: Up in Flames I, 2019, Slipcast cone 6 porcelain, underglaze illustration, 8" x 8" x .25"
Shalene Valenzuela, Potholder: What's the Buzz IV, 2019, Slipcast cone 6 porcelain, underglaze illustration, 8' x 8" x .25"
Shalene Valenzuela, Potholder: What's the Buzz III, 2019, Slipcast cone 6 porcelain, underglaze illustration, 8' x 8" x .25"
Shalene Valenzuela, Tangled Green, 2019, Slipcast earthenware, underglaze illustration, 5.5" x 9" x 9"
Shalene Valenzuela, Tangled Blue, 2019, Slipcast earthenware, underglaze illustration, 5.5" x 9" x 9"
Shalene Valenzuela, Shaking Things Up: Pantsuits and Posies, 2019, Slipcast earthenware, underglaze illustration, 13" x 6" x 5"
Shalene Valenzuela, Ironing Things Out: Loves Me, Loves Me Not, 2019, Slipcast earthenware, underglaze illustration, 9" x 4.25" x 5"
Shalene Valenzuela, Ironing Things Out: Good Fortunes, 2019, Slipcast earthenware, underglaze illustration, 9" x 4.25" x 5"
Shalene Valenzuela, Implement of Self Destruction: Cherry Cordial, 2018, Slipcast earthenware, underglaze illustration, hardware, 16" x 11" x 3"
Shalene Valenzuela, Grate Burn, 2019, Slipcast cone 6 porcelain, underglaze illustration, wire, 10" x 10" x .25"
Shalene Valenzuela, MeterMade: Take a Number, 2018, underglaze illustration, print transfer, silver leaf, hardware, 31" x 14" x 7"
Shalene Valenzuela, A Toast to Burning Desires: Boiling Over, 2019, Slipcast earthenware, underglaze illustration, 7" x 9" x 5"
Shalene Valenzuela, Weighing In: Measure Up II, 2017, Slipcast earthenware, porcelain, underglaze illustration, 11" x 6" x 7"
Shalene Valenzuela, By Any Stretch of the Imagination III, slipcast cone 6 porcelain, underglaze illustration, silver leaf, 8" x 10" x 11"
Shalene Valenzuela, Cinched In, 2013, Cone 6 porcelain, 16" x 11" x 9"