Tarbell @ Second Street Gallery

Rob Tarbell has a great show opening here in C'ville tomorrow:

For February, SSG presents works by artist Rob Tarbell in the Dové Gallery. Tarbell's animal sculptures-mostly rabbits and bears-take on a life of their own, often humorous and suggestive of play. The multi-step process Tarbell uses to make the creatures represents a transformation: well-loved stuffed animals found at Goodwill assume new forms as their stuffing is replaced with porcelain slip and then fired in a kiln. The resulting unconventional figures evoke childhood memories as they explore notions of cremation and preservation, where the original's fur becomes threatening ceramic spikes. Nearly two-dozen sculptures will be on display, creating a tongue-in-cheek environment of animated characters.

The Struggles Play Nice is on view at Second Street Gallery, 115 Second Street SE, February 1 - March 1, 2008. There will be an opening reception for First Fridays, February 1, 6:00 - 8:00 pm, with an artist talk at 6:30. Rob Tarbell: The Struggles Play Nice is sponsored by the L.E.A.W. Family Foundation.

Anoher image:

Rob Tarbell @ ArtSpace

Sleeper in the Mess, mixed media

This Friday at Artspace in Richmond:

Rob Tarbell
The Fugitive and the Feral
Contemplations of fleeting moments
AUG. 24 - SEPT. 23, 2007

Opening Reception
Fourth Friday
August 24, 7-10 pm

I met Rob recently when we both won Fellowships from the Virginia Museum and I saw his work here in C'ville at Les Yeux Du Monde.




Aerial Rider, 2007. Smoke on painted paper, 60 x 42 inches.

This was in that show - and its made of smoke. Really nice. Here's some in-studio, in-progress images he sent me:




Ribbon 1





Feral Ribbon 3





Feral Ribbon 2