Kathy Triplett
Wall Clay

Kathy Triplett's distinctive wall work will grace the vertical surfaces of MudFire Gallery for one wonderful month starting with an opening reception on July 14, 2005 from 6-10pm. The exhibit of sculptural clay and mixed-media objects will be on display through August 13, 2005.

Kathy's sculptural wall tiles are mysterious and enticing with undeniable visual power. Her decorative tiles take advantage of the full sculptural potential of clay, including its unbound mutability when soft, ready acceptance of texture, and the crisp geometric possibilities that emerge as it dries and hardens. This body of work expresses an ambiguous nature that Triplett sees existing between the worlds of plants, animals, and machines.

sculptural wall tile

"Each tile could possibly be interpreted to fit into several worlds. They contrast with each other as well as converse with each other. Windows lead one from one layer to another, and then to question the content, disturbing or otherwise, just under the surface," explains Triplett.

These wall tiles have been the core focus of Kathy's recent sculptural explorations and will be the central element of this exhibit and sale. The show will also include work from other recent series including her snake sticks and illuminated wall sconces. Representative works are pictured on this page.

Triplett literally wrote the book(s) on Handbuilt Ceramics and Handbuilt Tableware, and her texts have helped countless clay initiates develop their skills. While her recent work is more sculptural and architectural, early in her career she was well known for her daring and whimsical tableware and teapots. Select pieces of her functional work will also be on display as a complementary retrospective element.

"We are incredibly excited to bring Kathy's work to Atlanta for the community to enjoy," comments Erik Haagensen of MudFire. "Our curatorial group feel that Kathy Triplett is without question one of the most admired and influential ceramicists living today, a giving educator, a relentless innovator and an inspiringly-talented artist. Serious collectors and art enthusiasts will not want to miss this show."

Kathy will also be hosting a demonstration workshop and slideshow lecture at MudFire in conjunction with the show.

Sculptural Wall Tiles

About Kathy Triplett

A native of Orangeburg, SC, Kathy Triplett attended the Universidad de las Americas in Pueblo, Mexico and received her B. A. from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA. Additionally, she honed her artistic skills in courses at La Meridiana, Italy; Arrowmont School, Tennessee; Castle Clay, Colorado; and the architecture department at Georgia Tech.

While in Mexico, Triplett developed an interest in the geometric elements of that region’s Olmec and Aztec architecture, which led to an interest in Art Deco architecture and design. Travels to Barcelona, Spain and an interest in the work of Gaudi contributed to a tendency towards more organic forms in her work. A recent trip to Mali, in West Africa, brought the influences of the colors of mudcloth and the shapes of the mud mosques and houses, to her work. A study of terra-sigillata in Italy encouraged more natural and warmer surfaces to the wall tiles she creates now.

But what explains the sea creature and insect-like forms in the work? Time spent every year exploring the shores of Edisto Island, SC, where horseshoe crabs and sharks’ teeth are found in abundance, contributes to the shapes and to the small detailed natural object additions on the teapots and the wall pieces.

Windows and openings from one layer into another are abiding elements in the work, metaphors for the layers of the self, or for the process of uncovering another world that lies beyond this one. An interest in texture and contrast leads Triplett to lengthy glaze testing in order to find new and intriguing surfaces.

Though she began her career as a wheelthrower, now handbuilding with slabs and coils is the method used to manipulate the clay. She is the author of Handbuilt Ceramics and Handbuilt Tableware and has exhibited at SOFA New York and Chicago, New Art Forms, Chicago; First International Tokyo Crafts Expo, Tokyo, Japan; The Tea Party, American Craft Museum, New York, NY; Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, AR, and is included in collections from Bolivia to Japan. She is a member of Piedmont Craftsmen, Inc., and the Southern Highland Guild and currently serves on the board of Handmade in America, Asheville, NC.

She lives in Weaverville, NC, with her husband and two dogs, in a solar house filled with handmade tiles and ceramic wall sconces, and works in a handbuilt studio nearby.

Kathy Triplett C.V.

Education
Universidad de las Americas; Cholula, Puebla, Mexico
Agnes Scott College; Decatur, Georgia; B.A.
La Meridiana, Certaldo, Italy

Organizations
Piedmont Craftsmen Inc.; Board of Trustees (1992-1995); Winston-Salem, NC
Southern Highland Guild; Asheville, NC
The Preservation Society; Asheville, NC
Handmade in America; Board of Trustees; 1999-2001

Fellowships
NC Arts Council; 1996

Publications
Handbuilt Ceramics; Lark Publishing; 1997
Handbuilt Tableware; Lark Publishing; 2001
500 Teapots; Lark Publishing; 2002

Teaching
Gustavus Adolphus College; St.Peter, MN
Warren Wilson College; Swannanoa, NC
Penland School of Crafts; Penland, NC
Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts; Asheville, NC
Callanwolde, Atlanta,GA
UNC,Greensboro, NC
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN
NM Potters Assoc., Albuquerque, NM
Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY
University of SC, Sumter, SC
Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts, BC, Canada
Armory Art Center, West Palm Beach, FL

Commissions and Collections
Lowe's Corporate Headquarters, "Doors, Nails and Pennies", 2004
Charlotte Area Transit System, Matthews, NC; work in progress,
installation in 2004
Clemson University, Hardin Hall, Clemson, SC, 84 tiles, 60' wall piece, installation, 2004
YWCA. Asheville, NC; 2003
Specialty Health Center at Summa Health Systems; Akron, OH; 2003
Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C., Alexandria, VA; 2002
PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Atlanta, GA, 2002
First Charter Center, Charlotte, NC; 2001
Zambra Restaurant and Hector Diaz, Asheville, NC; 2001
University of VA’s College at Wise, Wise, VA; 2001
Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts; Asheville, NC; 1999
The Horn Collection of Contemporary Crafts; Arkansas Arts Center; Little Rock, AR; 1999
Artworks for State Buildings; NC Central University; Durham, NC; 1998
NC State University; Raleigh, NC; 1996
Artworks for State Buildings; Western Carolina University; Belk Building; Sylva, NC; 1996
Artworks for State Buildings; Western Carolina University; Reid Gym; Sylva, NC; 1996
Pack Place Arts & Science Center; Asheville, NC; 1992
Arthur Williams Collection; NY, NY; 1992
Nations Bank; Charlotte, NC; 1992
Western Governor’s Residence; Asheville, NC; 1992
University of NC; Asheville, NC; 1991
Takeo Yamaki; Osaka, Japan; 1991
Embassy Suites Hotel; Chicago, IL; 1991
Gantt-Huberman Architects; Charlotte, NC; 1990
Ross Gain Sharing Institute; Chapel Hill, NC; 1990
Embassy Suites Hotel; NY, NY; 1990
NC Center for the Advancement of Teaching; Cullowhee, NC; 1990
Burroughs-Wellcome Co.; Research Triangle Park, NC; 1990
Halstead Industries, Inc.; Greensboro, NC; 1990
City of Charlotte; Charlotte, NC; 1990
McCann-Erickson Advertising; NY, NY; 1989
Crum & Forster Insurance; Durham, NC; 1989
Coca-Cola Enterprises; Atlanta, GA; 1988
Sheraton Hotel; Myrtle Beach, SC; 1988
Raleigh Federal Bank; Raleigh, NC; 1988
Hyatt Regency ; Tampa, FL; 1987
Hyatt Regency Ravinia; Atlanta, GA; 1987
Ray Chem Corporation; Atlanta, GA; 1987
Hyatt Regency Cerromar; Dorado, Puerto Rico; 1986
Pope and Land; Atlanta, GA; 1986
Asheville Art Museum; Asheville, NC; 1986
Central Carolina Bank and Trust, Raleigh, NC; 1986
NC Museum of History; Raleigh, NC; 1986
Instituto Portales; Cochabamba, Bolivia; 1984

Selected Exhibitions
Featured artist for December, Blue Spiral 1, Asheville, NC; 2003
“Wall to Wall”, Lee Hansley Gallery, Raleigh, NC, 2003
“Wall Works”; Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD, 2003
“SOFA Chicago 2002”, Gallery 500
“SOFA NY 2002”, Gallery 500
“Sculpture Invitational “, Armory Art Center, W. Palm Beach, FL 2002
“SOFA Chicago 2001”, Blue Spiral 1
“Ceramics by Southeastern Artists”; Hodges-Taylor Gallery, Charlotte, NC; 2001
One Person Exhibition; University of SC, Sumter, SC; 2001
“Living With Form-The Horn Collection of Contemporary Crafts”: Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, AR; 2000
“Two for 2000”; Blue Spiral 1, Asheville, NC, 2000
“Architectural Ceramics”; The Odyssey Gallery, Asheville, NC; 2000
“An Innovative Spirit: The Southern Highland Craft Guild Celebrates 70 Years”; Traveling Exhibition; 2000
“Clay Pasa”; National Ceramics Invitational, Rockford College Art Gallery, Rockford, IL; 1999
“1999 National Ceramics Competition”; Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts; Florence, AL; 1999
Two Person Exhibition; Pensacola Junior College, Pensacola, FL; 1999
Three Person Exhibition; Blue Spiral 1, Asheville, NC; 1999
“Southeastern Clay Invitational”; Blue Spiral 1, Asheville, NC; 1999
“Clay Bodies”; Connell Gallery, Atlanta, GA; 1999
“National Teapot Show”; Award of Excellence. Cedar Creek Gallery, Creedmoor, NC; 1999
“Southern Highland Craft Guild: An Appalachian Perspective”; Georgia College; Milledgeville, GA; Davidson County Museum; Lexington, NC; and, Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History; Danville, VA; 1999
Materials Hard & Soft; The Meadows Gallery; Denton, TX; 1999
Crafts National 32; Zoller Gallery; University Park, PA; 1998
“200 Teapots”; Green Hill Center for NC Art; Greensboro, NC; 1998
NC Fellowship Awards Traveling Exhibition; Mint Museum; Charlotte, NC; 1997-1998
“Southeastern Fine Crafts - Biennial II”; Florida Gulf Coast Art Center; Belle Air, FL; 1997
“Perceptions in Clay”; The Stones Gallery; San Francisco, CA; 1997
“A Tea Party”; The Renwick; Washington, DC; 1997
“A Stone, A Door, A Tealeaf”; Blue Spiral Gallery; Asheville, NC; 1996
“The Contemporary Teapot”; Ariana Gallery; Royal Oak, MS; 1995
“Journey with Light”; River Gallery; Chattanooga, TN; 1995
“10th Annual San Angelo National Ceramic Competition”; San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts; San Angelo, TX; 1995
“Art Toys”; Albers Fine Art Gallery; Memphis, TN; 1995
“Tea Party”; Lightside Gallery; Santa Fe, NM; 1994
“Fine Art of NC”; Lee Hansley Gallery; Raleigh, NC; 1994
“Miniatures ‘94”; Albers Fine Art Gallery; Memphis, TN; 1994
“Crafts in the Hands of an Artist”; Main Line Art Center; Haverford, PA; 1994
“22nd Annual NC Artists Exhibition” Fayetteville Museum of Art; Fayetteville, NC; 1994
“National Teapot Show II”; Cedar Creek Gallery; Creedmoor, NC; 1993
“NC Crafts Invitational”; Eastern Carolina University; Greenville, NC; 1993
“The Tea Party”; Tesoro; Los Angeles, CA; 1993
“Clay Today”; Blue Spiral; Asheville, NC; 1993
“A Tea Party”; National Museum of Ceramic Art; Baltimore, MD; 1993
“NC Clay 1992”; NC State University; Raleigh, NC’ 1992
Wheeler Seidel Gallery; NY, NY; 1992
First International Tokyo Crafts Expo; Tokyo, Japan; 1992
“High Tea”; Langman Gallery; Willow Grove, PA; 1992
“Spotlight ‘92”; Hand Workshop; VA Center for the Craft Arts; Richmond, VA; 1992
“The Tea Party”; American Craft Museum; NY, NY; 1991
“2nd Invitational Teapot Exhibition”; Artifacts; Indianapolis, IN; 1991
“High Tea”; America House Gallery; Piedmont, NY; 1991
“High Tea”; Moira James Gallery; Green Valley, NV; 1991
“Spotlight ’91”; Mississippi Museum of Art; Jackson, MS; 1991
First Place Award; “3rd Annual Teapot Show”; A. Houberbocken, Inc.; Milwaukee, WI; 1991
“National Juried Teapot Exhibit”; The DE Center for the Contemporary Arts; Wilmington, DE; 1990
Merit Award; “Tea for Two”; Ariana Gallery; Birmingham, MI; 1990
“New Art Forms”; Chicago International Exposition; Chicago, IL; 1990, 1986
“Wichita National 1990”; Center for the Arts; Wichita, KS; 1990
“Handmade for the ‘90s”; The Berkshire Museum; Pittsfield, MA; 1990
“ “1990 International Tea Art Exhibition”; Contemporary Crafts Gallery; Portland, OR; 1990
Merit Award; “The Cedar Creek National Teapot Show”; Creedmoor, NC; 1989
“Out of the Carolinas”; International Gallery; San Diego, CA; 1989
“The Unique, The Unusual, The Utilitarian”; Craft Alliance; St. Louis, MO; 1989
“Spotlight ‘89”; University of Florida Gallery; Gainesville, FL; 1989
Solo Exhibition; Great American Gallery; Atlanta, GA; 1988
“The Artful Hand”; Green Hill Art Center; Greensboro, NC; 1988
“Teapots”; The Clay Pot; Brooklyn, NY; 1988
“Form and Function: Teapots”; Craft Alliance; St. Louis, MO; 1988
“A Tea Party”; Pinch Pottery; Northhampton, MA; 1988
“Desert Tea”; Incorporated Gallery; NY, NY; 1988
“The Teapot; Form and Function”; Artworks Gallery; Seattle, WA; 1987
“At the Table”; Society of Arts and Crafts; Boston, MA; 1987
“ “NC Treasures/Women Craft Artists”; Int. Craft Marketplace; Philadelphia, PA; 1987
“Tea for Two-Hundred”; Incorporated Gallery; NY, NY; 1987
Solo Exhibition; Asheville Art Museum; Asheville, NC; 1986
“Second Juried Exhibition of NC Crafts”; NC Museum of History; Raleigh, NC; 1986
“The Tabletop”; Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art; Winston-Salem, NC; 1984