Big Things Writ Small

Scale is a blade that cuts in two directions: Big often signifies importance, especially in an environment where space is at a premium. Conversely, we all know that Good Things Come in Small Packages.

Small Sculpture (by big people) is an exhibition of miniature sculpture that is a fascinating study of how the scale of things can change our perception of space and our bodies while toying with our expectations. The exhibit delivers intimate moments of delight and surprise while forcing us to slow down, look again and reject first impressions in favor of a second examination.

Big & Small/Casual is a project gallery run by Kate Teale, a painter and sometimes gallerist, whose own work plays with scale and the expectations of size that occur in the viewer’s mind. With this exhibit, Teale has been able to extend her interest in the ambiguous depiction of size by bringing together work that challenges us around what size an art object can be or should be, and taunts us with the awareness of our own physical size in relationship to these diminutive but powerful objects.

Todd Lambrix’s molded felt pieces resemble reproductive organs from indeterminate phylum. Created through molding, rolling and squeezing, they leave a slightly oddball but ephemeral impression—something akin to fallen flowers or organs that will quickly fade into oblivion.

Bix Lye’s Unfinished Temple and Vapors of Delphi evoke both classical architecture and sixties pop art with humor but utter sincerity. Both pieces leverage their diminutive scale like bonsai trees to distill and concentrate strength into a small space.

Christian Nguyen’s Modern Surfaces are reminiscent of the time-killing toys that you find in a doctor’s waiting room. But Nguyen applies sophistication and nuance to the design and construction that brings it to an entirely new level. Each piece plays masterfully with transparency, ambient light, reflective color, and space. The size invites us to pick up and reposition the pieces exploring new combinations of light, color, and shadow.

Jim Osman’s series of meticulous painted wood constructions look a bit like a sculptor’s model for a larger piece until you spend a few minutes with them and realize that their charm is wedded to their size.

Small Sculpture (by big people)
Curated by Kate Teale
Big & Small/Casual Gallery