Eight Hands exhibit comes to Paint Creek Center for the Arts

For the upcoming Eight Hands exhibit, Paint Creek Center for the Arts presents four very different artists as a single group. Carolyn Reed Barritt, Doug Cannell, Ted Lee Hadfield, and Paul Young have all worked for many years honing their skills in their respective mediums. They have all exhibited their work for many years in various settings, and have devoted hours to refining their craftsmanship. We are excited to present ceramic works, sculpture and ink drawings together in the Main Gallery.

Carolyn Reed Barritt (Ann Arbor) works with a limited palette of inks to make multi-layered drawings and paintings. She explores the dichotomy between what we perceive as an orderly and secure existence, and the chaos and unpredictability of the surrounding world, whether natural or man-made. Combining careful line work with intuitive, free flowing brush strokes, Carolyn evokes landscapes and built environments as they go through a process of transformation or dissolution.

Doug Cannell (West Bloomfield) works primarily with steel to create abstract sculpture. His works range from compact, elegant wall hung pieces to large scale free standing sculptures. He says, “My pieces are about energy, balance, snapshots of motion, contrasts of the organic and the mechanical precision and the “accidental” beauty of functional objects. Some of my pieces use the visual cues of an engineered device, but “do” nothing.” He uses steel for its strength and durability and versatility.

Ted Lee Hadfield (Farmington Hills) works with ceramic, metal, wood and other materials to create works that express his love and appreciation of the balance between natural forces and technology. Many of his works reference labyrinths, celestial objects, honey bees and hives, and other elements of both the natural world and man-made technology. He says, “My goal is to metaphorically draw together these forces, to create and maintain a balance both physically and psychologically. Technology’s influence on our daily lives is indirect as well as direct, unseen as well as seen, unconscious as well as conscious…. It is our inner and outer landscape.”

Paul Young (Dryden) works primarily with soda fired stoneware to make both sculptural and functional artworks. Whether pots, cups, vases, serving vessels, or non-functional objects, he describes his work as “a collaboration of form, ceramic materials and the alchemy of fire. The random nature of the flame and atmosphere in the kiln enhance the control I impart to the clay, creating a feeling of uniqueness in each piece.”

Each of these four artists brings a unique viewpoint and many years of studio practice to their work. Together, they make a compelling show where each artist’s work contributes to the larger whole.

Please join us in welcoming these four artists at an opening reception on Friday, April 18 at 6:00 pm. We will host a gallery talk with the artists on Saturday, April 19 at 2:00 pm. The opening reception is part of the Downtown Rochester Spring Gallery Stroll. The opening reception and gallery talk are free and open to the public. Visitors will enjoy an opportunity to meet the artists and gain some insight into their works.