Graham Caldwell @ G Fine Art

I haven't seen every show currently up in D.C., but I doubt there's one better than Graham Caldwell's current solo show at G Fine Art. I had been anticipating this show and it did not disappoint at all. Caldwell's work is playful and sophisticated. Unlike many (most?) glass artists, he doesn't strive for technical perfection. At least, it doesn't appear that way. I have limited firsthand experience with glassblowing, but my impression is that the skills employed by Caldwell are not all that difficult. And I like that it doesn't matter one bit! I have no doubt that Caldwell could create technically perfect pieces. But to do so would remove some of their personality and whimsy... and the pieces would suffer as a result.

At first glance, the work in Caldwell's show looks fairly uniform. After some time with them, however, it becomes clear that each piece is quite unique. They have different aims, it seems, and those aims are achieved. Here's a portion of the press release:

Caldwell's new work continues to transcend the utilitarian nature of glass. He embraces the material, with all of its manufactured connotations and spins it to become something unique. Light bulbs that have bent and grown huge, punching bags mirrored and frozen in action, thin blue glass in the form of a tree branch or a piece of coral.

This show feels like an adventure; a journey, maybe through the natural history hall, encountering creatures in dioramas from different worlds. They appear strangely out of their element, but allude to danger or elegance, their teeth and claws remaining sharp, their bodies still implying movement. Caldwell's work is sly, attractive, and simultaneously sinister. He continues with these pieces to straddle the lines between humor and potential disaster, linearity and sensual form, intricacy and forthrightness.

In one work, thin tubes of amber glass extend from the wall and enter back in, creating a downward arch. In a row they look like handles to grab, or ribs delicately poised in the air. Another piece resembles bubbles being blown into the world, extending and hovering out from the wall. Mirror-like, the surface provides a sort of fun-house reflection. Multiple pieces extend in different directions, capturing a movement like they have just been punched or touched, like an anemone's fingers swaying in the currents. Blithely this work seems like technology mimicking nature, a kind of gross enlargement.

Caldwell, like a scientist, investigates the intricacy of his material, its display and the natural world. It's as if he is holding up a prism that might reflect a rainbow-but instead, reflects excitement, fear and beauty. The anatomies he refers to are ribs, teeth, anemones, forests, fungi, fingers, and bodies. Anatomy is the study of structure, its dissection, analysis and minute examination. Caldwell is immersed in this study-exploring the anatomy of the viewer, the anatomy of glass, and the anatomy of natural things.

I don't think I would have described the show in exactly this way, but it's not too far off. Here are some images:

These two pieces are really nice. I particularly liked the "rib" piece.

Exactly what are we looking at here? Could be any number of things, I suppose. From scary to strange, the pieces never lose their elegance.

I'm not sure what to make of the inclusion of this piece. Any thoughts? It's titled "Proprioceptor" if that helps at all.

This poor quality image provides a decent look at how the pieces are hung. Annie told us that Graham has a template for each work and every piece of glass is numbered. And I thought my hanging systems were extreme!

The surprises of the show (and perhaps my favorite pieces) are to be found in Annie's office. The above piece in particular was my favorite from the entire show. Many works have been purchased already (the show officially opened on Saturday). Local collector, Kate Ogden, smartly snatched up this piece to add to her growing collection. I'm not sure who else bought what, but I predict the show comes awfully close to selling out.

This piece, almost as good as the one purchased by Ogden, was still available as of Saturday morning, I think. Priced at $5,000, I think it would be my first choice of the available work. This work is also located in Annie's office.

Like a glass rope or snake, these two pieces are quite lovely too. And yes, they hang in Annie's office as well.

Caldwell has mounted a must-see show. So see it, will ya?!

Comments

[paula]

Wonderful stuff, thanks for posting. I personally love all those mirrors, its invasive and kinda of sick.
Your last 2 posts have been eye opening.

[J.T. Kirkland]

Thanks Paula... that's what we shoot for around here!