Cris Worley Fine Arts presents James Watral: "Vessels, Elements and Drawings" opening reception

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Photo by Rusty Scruby

Cris Worley Fine Arts will present "Vessels, Elements and Drawings," an exhibition co-organized by Rusty Scruby and Hampton Burwick honoring beloved artist and friend, James Watral (1942-2014). This will be a commemorative exhibition, featuring ceramic works and drawings from the artist’s estate.

Watral is most known for his formalistic explorations into ceramic sculpture. His oeuvre includes myriad techniques from slab, throwing, extruded forms and hand-building, to surfaces treated with glaze, terra sigillata, copper leaf and mixed media. Even his drawings, of vessel-like forms or overlapping abstract shapes, seem to emit a frenetic energy that mimics the movements associated with the spinning of clay.

Watral’s inspirations were just as eclectic: Egyptian and Etruscan art influenced his forms while intermingling with his own Croatian heritage. In Watral’s Hero Series, imagery of metal belt buckles worn by Croatian soldiers memorialize friends that the artist tragically lost to the AIDS epidemic. Other inspirations included science and the expanding universe, music, gardening, theater and architecture to name a few.

Following the opening reception, the exhibit will be on view through December 28.

Cris Worley Fine Arts will present "Vessels, Elements and Drawings," an exhibition co-organized by Rusty Scruby and Hampton Burwick honoring beloved artist and friend, James Watral (1942-2014). This will be a commemorative exhibition, featuring ceramic works and drawings from the artist’s estate.

Watral is most known for his formalistic explorations into ceramic sculpture. His oeuvre includes myriad techniques from slab, throwing, extruded forms and hand-building, to surfaces treated with glaze, terra sigillata, copper leaf and mixed media. Even his drawings, of vessel-like forms or overlapping abstract shapes, seem to emit a frenetic energy that mimics the movements associated with the spinning of clay.

Watral’s inspirations were just as eclectic: Egyptian and Etruscan art influenced his forms while intermingling with his own Croatian heritage. In Watral’s Hero Series, imagery of metal belt buckles worn by Croatian soldiers memorialize friends that the artist tragically lost to the AIDS epidemic. Other inspirations included science and the expanding universe, music, gardening, theater and architecture to name a few.

Following the opening reception, the exhibit will be on view through December 28.

Cris Worley Fine Arts will present "Vessels, Elements and Drawings," an exhibition co-organized by Rusty Scruby and Hampton Burwick honoring beloved artist and friend, James Watral (1942-2014). This will be a commemorative exhibition, featuring ceramic works and drawings from the artist’s estate.

Watral is most known for his formalistic explorations into ceramic sculpture. His oeuvre includes myriad techniques from slab, throwing, extruded forms and hand-building, to surfaces treated with glaze, terra sigillata, copper leaf and mixed media. Even his drawings, of vessel-like forms or overlapping abstract shapes, seem to emit a frenetic energy that mimics the movements associated with the spinning of clay.

Watral’s inspirations were just as eclectic: Egyptian and Etruscan art influenced his forms while intermingling with his own Croatian heritage. In Watral’s Hero Series, imagery of metal belt buckles worn by Croatian soldiers memorialize friends that the artist tragically lost to the AIDS epidemic. Other inspirations included science and the expanding universe, music, gardening, theater and architecture to name a few.

Following the opening reception, the exhibit will be on view through December 28.

WHEN

WHERE

Cris Worley Fine Arts
1845 Levee St.
#110
Dallas, TX 75207
https://www.crisworley.com/exhibitions/james-watral-1942-2014

TICKET INFO

Admission is free.
All events are subject to change due to weather or other concerns. Please check with the venue or organization to ensure an event is taking place as scheduled.
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