“Insight,” opening May 1 at River Gallery, will give visitors an opportunity to see how four distinctly different artists view personal space and relationships.
Heather Allen-Swarttouw began her art career by working with clay and three-dimensional forms. Then she moved into creating architectural textiles with multiple layers of inks, dyes and other surface-design techniques. The North Carolina artist said that about eight years ago, she “returned to her roots in clay” and began combining her textiles with clay and other mediums.
The themes of her work revolve around change and her belief that life is a journey.
Melisa Cadell, also from North Carolina, uses clay to depict the human form as an expression of the spiritual being that dwells within it. However, the people represented have been changed through life experiences – both good and bad.
“What is reflected is not what society typically deems beautiful,” she says in her artist’s statement. “Their beauty is one of dignity, courage and strength.”