In association with Clark Gallery of Lincoln, MA, GSC is pleased to present Staged: The Work of Kathleen Volp.

Trade, cultural exchange, and the rich and provocative history surrounding the Blue Willow pattern on porcelain and china are integral to the themes explored in both Lee Blessing's compelling drama Going to St. Ives and the sculptural paintings of Kathleen Volp.

Volp incorporates motifs from the widely recognized blue and white china into her still life compositions, subtly studying the significance and symbolism of the adopted patterns.  She creates dimensional reliefs in aluminum that are then mounted on cradled wood panels and painted in vibrant oils.  The imagery is sumptuous, illustrating the decadence and abundance propelled throughout the history of this particular commodity traded throughout the world.

Volp considers the still life as subject matter, pushing the meaning and history of the popular form of artistic expression.  The still life has been embraced as an illustration of wealth and grandeur, cultural and scientific advancement, and morality, as well as a study in composition, form, and color configuration.  Artist Kathleen Volp scrutinizes the still life in her work, transforming the genre and challenging its many associations.

The material culture of one society has different meaning in another and from one generation to the next.  The criteria for visual aesthetics also changes accordingly.  For Volp, the arresting visual patterns in many Dutch still life paintings from another century are the depiction of Wan-li porcelain (porcelain produced under the reign of the Chinese Emperor Wan-li), with its rich variety of blues contrasted against the yellows and oranges of the imported Mediterranean citrus.  But it is the juxtaposition of the kinetic abstract designs on the porcelains (usually Buddhist or Taoist symbols) with the very realistic painting of natural objects that brings home the power of the convergence of these two very different visual cultures: East and West.

Volp's dimensional still lifes explore the history of precious commodities depicted throughout the history of the genre.  For Volp, none is more fascinating than the visual trail of morphing patterns and imagery that began in China and continues to be found in contemporary Western "blue and white" porcelain such as Delft, Staffordshire and Spode.

Volp's work has been the subject of numerous exhibitions, including: Revolving Museum, Regis College, Allen Stone Gallery, Concord Art Association, New Art Center, and many others.  Her work is represented in many public and private collections.

The artist is generously donating partial proceeds from sales to benefit the GSC 2008 Summer Season.  For further information, including a price list, please contact Andrew Darcey at 978.281.4099 or andrew@gloucesterstage.org.

Staged: The Work of Kathleen Volp - Care of Clark Gallery, Lincoln, MA

The above was written by Dana Salvo, Owner/Director of Clark Gallery.

Read the Boston Globe's review of Ms. Volp's exhibition here.