Eva Kwong

Opposites Attract XII

ceramic sculpture

11" x 3 1/2" x 5 1/2"

signed Kwong with spiral symbol on back

1987

$300.00

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Gallery W.D.O. in Charlotte, NC, is showing an exhibit entitled, The Compelling Forms of Eva Kwong: Ceramics and Sculpture, through Nov. 25, 2000.

If you have not had the opportunity to become familiar with the work of Eva Kwong, you are certainly in for a treat when she shares her work with gallery W.D.O. in Nov. Kwong's work is a true statement of one of the founding beliefs of gallery W.D.O. - the ability to transform what could otherwise be simply a functional object into a great work of art that not only serves its function but also elicits emotional responses and tells a story of its own to those who choose to listen. In a recent conversation with Kwong, I had the pleasure to hear her thoughts on her work and to catch a glimpse of the inspiration behind her work, particularly her series of vases that will be in the gallery.

First, I should tell you that a vase by Kwong is anything but traditional and although you could describe it as unusual, I think that the term extraordinary is much more appropriate. When asked to describe the series, Kwong explains that her desire from the beginning was to create a piece, a vessel if you will, that is intriguing to look at on its own - not for the sake of the beauty of the flowers it may contain, but for the energy it radiates itself. In fact, she feels that many of her vases work best with one single flower. This feeling comes in part from Kwong's interest in Japanese gardens and flower arrangements where the understated elegance of minimalism becomes integral to the beauty of the environment. " I have a strong desire to create within each piece the fluidity of movement and phenomena of color that exists all around in our everyday lives."

One inspiration of Kwong's that I found particularly charming is an experience I believe we can all relate to and it amazes me to see the results of her inquisitive mind in her work, after hearing her story. " Much of my work is very organic and almost similar to what you might expect to view through a microscope. One evening while repeating to my children again why they must eat the vegetables that they might not like and again ensuring them that they must eat them because they are good for them, it occurred to me that I was suddenly unaware why we must eat these vegetables and more specifically what function they performed in our bodies. I began to imagine the inner workings of our bodies and all of its encompassing parts. I became fascinated with the thought of these colorful vegetables coursing throughout the highways of our bodies as they journey to a destination where they will eventually perform the appropriate function. I found myself so awe-inspired by this image that began with a child's question that it has influenced the movement, rhythm and inner-logic within my work. Although my children still do not want to eat their vegetables, I remain inspired by the concept."

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