TRIANGLE

“Triangle” features the work of three artists who share a focus on nature and the environment that surrounds them. Meredith LeBlanc, the daughter of artist Karen Nash, "was fortunate to have the encouragement to explore being creative in any way possible. Whether it's flowers, water, an intriguing detail - the beauty of the object creates a vibration in me to create something to share what I am feeling through paint and canvas. In turbulent times I rely on visual imagery to bring optimism to my life and hopefully those around me."

Brooke Hammerle calls her work "Gutter Funnies": "During the limited travel of the pandemic lockdown I decided to photograph in the streets of my neighborhood. My subject was trash, the proliferation of the discarded plastic bottles, cans, gloves, masks, and other general detritus in the gutters. These discarded items once serving a purpose were now abandoned, transforming through the process of destruction, decay, and oblivion. I was initially depressed and the weather of overcast and rainy days intensified these feelings. But it also created a sense of timelessness, a suspension of reality that inspired my imagination. As I photographed I found humor and irony in their mortality and beauty in small things."

Jillian Barber, well known ceramist, whose work is in the permanent collection at the Newport Art Museum and many galleries, has from childhood been fascinated with nature and the supernatural. "Her expressive work creates a personal mythology of dreamlike images. The portraits are exotic, richly textured and exquisitely detailed. Often working from plaster face castings, Barber’s masks invoke timeless mystery and magic."
- www.jillianbarber.com

Born in Staffordshire, England, Jillian Barber grew up in Westerly, RI and graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design. There she studied ceramics with Norm Schulman and glass with Dale Chihuly. Mythical portraits and imaginary creatures are enduring themes in Barber's ceramic sculpture. An artist from childhood, her fascination with nature, animals, faces, and costume continues today. Her expressive work creates a personal mythology of dreamlike images. The portraits are exotic, richly textured, and exquisitely detailed. Often working from plaster face castings, Barber's masks invoke timeless mystery and magic. For over 30 years, Barber was mask and costume designer for the Chorus of Westerly's Celebration of Twelfth Night. Dragons, unicorns, wild boars, stags, and wolves came alive on stage. Her fascination with mythical beasts, fairies, kings and queens had come to be and were also translated into clay. Barber's work has received a RISCA Fellowship in Design, numerous Katherine Forest Craft Foundation awards for excellence in ceramics, and over 100 juried awards. A retrospective, Vintage Jillian, was held at the Newport Art Museum where her work is in the permanent collection. Barber is represented by the Charlestown Gallery, the Fuller Gallery in Jamestown, RI where she resides, and Studio 460 in Wickford. Barber was invited to be Artist in Residence at the Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rl in January 2019 and 2020.
A video on Barber's life and art may be seen at Networks Rhode Island.

During the limited travel of the pandemic lockdown I decided to photograph in the streets of my neighborhood. My subject was trash, the proliferation of the discarded plastic bottles, cans, gloves, masks, and other general detritus in the gutters. These discarded items once serving a purpose were now abandoned, transforming through the process of destruction, decay, and oblivion. I was initially depressed and the weather of overcast and rainy days intensified these feelings. But it also created a sense of timelessness, a suspension of reality that inspired my imagination. As I photographed I found humor and irony in their mortality and beauty in small things.

Bio: As the daughter of an artist, Meredith LeBlanc was fortunate to have the encouragement to explore being creative in any way possible. After a 34 year break from the easel, in 2019 she was inspired by an artist friend to rediscover this creative outlet and to get lost in the luxury of the oil paint and color. Each time she steps up to the easel and places her brush on the canvas is a learning experience. Feeling the sensuousness of the paint itself, the vibration of blending the colors, and the emotion that arises as she works. This exploration has increased her appreciation of all artists and their work. It has given her the gift of a new viewpoint. It has lessened her personal need for perfection and to let her flow be more natural. She looks forward to this ongoing artistic journey.

Artist Statement: My intention as an artist is to share what brings me joy and peace. My inspiration arises during meditation, dreams, and walking my favorite muse, my pug Scarlet. Whether it is flowers, water, an intriguing detail - the beauty of the object creates vibration in me to create something to share what I feel through paint and canvas. Even in turbulent times, I rely on my visual imagery to find the light and inspiration to bring optimism to my life and hopefully to those around me.