Saratoga Clay Arts Center’s Schacht Gallery presents Traversing Myth, a duo exhibition featuring the playfully narrative functional and sculptural works of Robin Whiteman (NY) and Lynne Hobaica (NC). The characters and symbols within the work of both artists are inspired by historical and personal mythologies and fairytales - stories we carry with us and learn from and stories that reveal who we are. Traversing Myth will run March 12 – April 23, 2022 with an opening reception on Saturday, March 12, 5-7pm. Light refreshments will be served. Admission is free.
While their work is very different, Hobaica and Whiteman were paired together for this duo exhibition because the conceptual roots of the work seem to originate from a similar place. In this exhibition of sculpture and narrative utilitarian pots, otherworldly scenarios abound, complete with imaginary beings, whimsical animals, and plenty of magic.
About her sculptural works for this exhibition, Robin Whiteman states “Playfulness is the heart of this show, for me. I am hungry for whimsy and fun these days when everything feels shadowed by fear and uncertainty. Creating with clay is the most fun way I have found to be in relationship with the unknown while staying grounded in the present. I'm obsessed with animals, especially cats at the moment and Boots, my feline familiar, is my current muse. The process of creation usually starts by playing with a form that intrigues me, then reproducing it. It might get larger or smaller. It changes color. It disappears and reappears at a later date in another context. I often have no idea why I am making a piece until much later. The magic comes from surrendering to the process.”
Lynne Hobaica, whose work is largely narrative functional objects, states “I am inspired by the beauty and struggle of the stories we experience, often locating humor in moments that were once painful or embarrassing. Through color and form, my work dances in a world of play, deep emotion, and empathy. I make ceramic objects with layers of narrative imagery built up on the surface. My work is fueled by thoughts on how our awareness of death propels how we live and is inspired by the stories we experience and will be remembered by. I reveal characters pulled from personal and historical mythologies and fairytales and give them an emotion or gesture that you might connect with; perhaps you recognize an old friend, a past lover or yourself. It is through these connections and more that I am inspired to create, ultimately to share my own stories, and the stories that others have generously shared with me.
Robin Whiteman has been sculpting in clay daily or weekly, since the age of 12. Since receiving her BFA in ceramics at Rochester Institute of Technology, she has shown internationally, and in national solo and invitational shows and fairs including Aqua Art Miami at Art Basel and the Chicago Art Expo. In 2018 one of Whiteman's sculptures was purchased for a permanent museum collection. Robin’s ceramic sculpture is currently represented by Han Feng in NYC, Visions West Contemporary in Bozeman, MT, Tory Folliard in Milwaukee, WI, and Thompson Giroux in Chatham, NY. Other ceramic work is sold through designers Michele Varian in Brooklyn, and EN GARDE, In Dallas, TX. Robin has created and installed ceramic tile murals with the partnership of local schools and their students, and co created murals for Golisano Children’s Hospital. One of her passions has been the mentoring of young artists and has taught students from 3-93.
Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Lynne Hobaica received her BFA from Syracuse University and later completed her MFA in Conceptual Ceramic Sculpture at the University of Art and Design in Linz, Austria. Lynne has exhibited work in the US and abroad and participated in national and international residencies. She currently lives in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina where she shares a home and studio with her partner, Rickie Barnett and their sweet pup, Smokey.
