Kyle Carpenter
"The Pot Adorned"

MudFire Gallery welcomes back Kyle Carpenter of Asheville, North Carolina for his annual solo exhibition of new functional pottery, this year entitled "The Pot Adorned." In this year's show, Kyle unveils a stunning new direction in his brushwork, with detailed illustrations that complement his elegant mark makings.

The artist reception and exhibit opening will be held Saturday, March 1, from 5-9 pm. The exhibit and sale will be on display through March 29, 2008.

About the Artist

Carpenter, a North Carolina native, knows the importance of the rich pottery-making tradition of his home state. While continuing to dip from the deep well of tradition, Carpenter's pottery reveals a strong contemporary design sensibility. Kyle works in stoneware and salt-fires at his studio in Asheville. He creates elegant, simple forms then lavishes the attention of his brush to compose striking surfaces.

Repetition, rhythm, and abstractions informed by nature are key elements in his signature style. Working with a restrained palette, he creates a stunningly broad and fast-evolving portfolio of decorative motifs. Carpenter achieves a brilliant synthesis of contemporary & tradition that is equally at home - and equally compelling - within both a mountain cabin getaway and the stainless urban loft.

Kyle Carpenter - Artist Statement

In 1996, I came to the Asheville area to get an education. I was schooled in Fine Arts at The University of North Carolina at Asheville, with a concentration in ceramics. I graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics. I have since made my home and studio here and started a family.

I make pots because it’s creative, hands-on, challenging, demanding, and satisfying. All of my pottery is salt-fired. On some occasions, a wood-fired piece will make its’ way into my inventory. I’ve always been interested in atmospheric kilns. The pottery’s variation in surface offers subtle change in my limited palette. Before I chose ceramics as a major in college, I had considered illustration. This is why I turn to the brush to pattern the pot. I feel that it’s all in the details. Each pot is adorned with its own unique decoration and flame pattern, assuring that it is one of a kind.

I continue to experiment with form while keeping it simple. Making simple pots appeals to me. All work is raw-glazed and single-fired. This allows me to have continuity throughout the making process. The process is what hooks most potters. Wedging clay, pulling the wall of a pot, brushing slips and glazes, firing the kiln, and marketing the work are all integral parts of the cycle.

Kyle Carpenter - Artist Resume

Experience

Highwater Clays, Technical Sales, Asheville, NC, May 2000 - Nov. 2001

Blue Ridge Community College, Flat Rock, NC, Pottery Instructor, Aug. 2000 - April 2001

Asheville High School, Asheville, NC, Art Teacher, Ceramics Teacher, Feb. 2002 - June 2002

Carpenter Pottery, Asheville, NC, Studio Potter, Sole Proprietor, June 2002 - Present

Clayspace Co-op, Asheville, NC, Studio Member, August 2007 - Present

Education

University of North Carolina at Asheville, Asheville, NC, Bachelor of Fine Arts 2000

Exhibitions

"O the Art of Giving," New Orleans, LA, The Ogden Museum of Southern Art and Craft, 2007

"Performances in Clay II," Chattanooga, TN, The Gallery, 2007

"Creative Diversions: Influences of Traditional NC Art & Craft," Manteo, NC, Roanoke Island Festival Park Gallery, 2007

"Asheville in Atlanta," Atlanta, GA, Acted as curator, Mudfire Gallery, 2007

"Pushing Tradition: Asheville's New Voices," Athens, GA, Good Dirt Gallery, 2007

"100 under 100," Columbia, NC, Pacosin Art Center, 2007

"Put a lid on it," Atlanta, GA, Mudfire Gallery, 2007

"Contemporary Tradition," Atlanta, GA, Mudfire Gallery, 2007

"Sculptural/Functional: UNCA Clay", Hendersonville, NC, Center for Craft, Creativity and Design, 2006-2007

"Moments in Nature", Chattanooga, TN, The Gallery, 2007

"Performances in Clay", Chattanooga, TN, The Gallery, 2006

"Jerry Miller Award Winners", Cary, NC, Town Hall, 2006

UNCA Clay, Asheville, NC, Artemisia Gallery, 2006

"Local Clay", Asheville, NC, Asheville Arts Alliance, Front Gallery, 2005, Acted as curator

"The Abundant Table", Asheville, NC American Folk Gallery, 2005

Solo Exhibiton "New Works", Carrboro, NC, NC Crafts Gallery, 2005

"New Works", Atlanta, GA, MudFire Gallery, 2005, 2006

"Butter Dish", Asheville, NC, Odyssey Gallery, 2004

Two Person Exhibition Asheville, NC, Asheville Arts Alliance, Front Gallery, 2004

"Serve This!", Atlanta, GA, MudFire Gallery, 2004

"Asheville in Atlanta 2004", Atlanta, GA, Acted as curator, MudFire Gallery, 2004

"Functional Ceramics & Experimental Fibers", Tryon, NC, The Upstairs Gallery, 2004

Art in the Park Arts & Crafts Festival, Blowing Rock, NC, 2004

"Potters & Their Mentors", Asheville, NC, American Folk Gallery, 2004

"Rhythm", solo show, Atlanta, GA, MudFire Gallery, 2004

"New Works", solo show, Cary, NC, Jordan Hall Arts Center, Oct. 2003

"Salt & Pepper Show", Asheville, NC, Odyssey Gallery, 2003

"Asheville in Atlanta", Atlanta, GA, Acted as curator, MudFire Gallery, 2003

Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival, Cary, NC, 2003-2005, Jerry Miller Award Recipient 2003

"Teapots-A-Go-Go", Atlanta, GA, MudFire Gallery, 2003, 2004, 2006

"Making Marks", solo show, Atlanta, GA, MudFire Gallery, 2003

"Stoneware Forms", solo show, Cary, NC, Jordan Hall Arts Center, 2003

"Hand-Held Cup Show", Asheville, NC, Odyssey Gallery, 2001

Strictly Functional Pottery National Lancaster, PA, Market Place Craft Center, 2001

UNCA Alumni Exhibition, Asheville, NC, Owen Gallery, 2000-2006

UNCA Student Invitational, Asheville, NC, Asheville Gallery of Art, 1999

NC Student Exhibition, Greensboro, NC, 1998, 1999

UNCA Student Exhibition, Asheville, NC, Owen Gallery, 1998, 1999, 2000

Publications

Clay Times Magazine, "The Gallery" July/August 2003

Ceramics Monthly, "Upfront" April, 2004

Clay Times Magazine, feature article May/June 2004

Studio Potter Magazine, "Shards: Report from New Orleans," by Jan Katz. 2006. Teabowls image.