The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's Education and Community Engagement Department is pleased to exhibit the work of artist Lee Renninger in the show "Threaded Line," which uses couture to explore concepts of personal and political, as well as ethnic and group, identity. A preview will be held on Thursday, June 4, with a Cake, Couture & Chardonnay reception, from 4:30-8 p.m. at The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's gallery at 709 Penn Avenue. The reception will also include trunk shows by two nationally-known designers: Earth & Alchemy Jewelry by Richelle Wilson and Susan Farber Handbags.
Lee Renninger explores the use of clay as fabric. She writes, "Ceramic material is inherently dense and inflexible--qualities that have historically recommended it for utility. The transformation of this material into works that are soft and fluid, as well as visually weightless, is only one way of challenging the long-standing beliefs about clay as an artistic medium."
"This exhibition is so powerfully beautiful. It's amazing how Lee uses clay and other materials to create the gorgeous pieces that you will find in this show. I'm anxious for Pittsburgh to see Lee's work," says Janis Burley Wilson, vice president of Education and Community Engagement of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
Renninger trained at the University of Florida and her work has been exhibited all over the world. Her work was featured in the Fiberart International: Biennial Exhibition of Contemporary Fiberart in New York's Museum of Art and Design, the Sidney Myer International Ceramic Competition in Victoria, Australia. She has been a visiting professor in Tokyo, Japan, and throughout the United States. Renninger has also received numerous awards and commissions, including the Directors' Award for Innovative Use of Materials from the Fiberarts International: Biennial Exhibition, from the Andy Warhol Foundation, and a fellowship from the Mississippi Arts Commission.
Richelle Wilson is a Pittsburgh native, living and working in New York City. She specializes in hand-casted 18k gold and silver, as well as semi-precious and precious stone jewelry. The stones are sourced from around the world.
Susan Farber Handbags-Susan Farber creates handmade leather goods. She is based in Fox Chapel; her work is carried in boutiques all over the country, most notably Henri Bendel in New York City.
The preview reception will feature cupcakes by Jamie Okopu of Cook for You. Jamie is another Pittsburgh native who trained at the Culinary Institute of America and Paris to perfect her art of pastry design.
GALLERY DETAILS
709 Penn Gallery is located on 709 Penn Ave. / Cultural District, Pittsburgh
Cake, Couture & Chardonnay, June 4, 4:30-8 p.m.
In the gallery, 709 Penn Avenue
Preview Reception and trunk shows by two nationally-known designers: Earth & Alchemy Jewelry by Richelle Wilson and Susan Farber Handbags
Gallery Crawl: Friday, July 17, 5:30 - 9 p.m.
Closing date: July 18, 2009
Gallery Hours: Tuesday thru Thursday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.;
Friday & Saturday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
