By Icy-blue, white, and brown ceramic sculptures stand tall and send an eco-friendly message at the on campus art exhibition “Glacier.”
Graduate Master of Fine Arts and ceramics student Mary E. Beierle’s ceramic exhibition speaks to both artists and nature lovers with its message to bring awareness about the polar ice caps melting.
“The Earth is still going to be here [when the polar ice caps melt] … are we going to be here is my question,” Beierle said.
According to Beierle, it was her mentor, Chief Oren Lyon, Faith Keeper of the Onondaga and Seneca Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy, who encouraged her to pursue the project about the issue.
Beierle’s exhibit features five large ceramic figures that symbolize glaciers eroding away. The frosty-looking, multi-colored pieces have a uniquely textured look that make them appear like they are crumbling or melting.
These sculptures undergo a lot before they are completed.
According to Beierle, she is able to build about six inches of a piece each day. When she has most of the piece done, she puts the piece in a kiln. In the kiln she completes sculpting it and then fires it so it will harden.
Firing a sculpture is a five-day process, and then the pieces must cool for two additional days. Beierle then glazes the pieces to add color and texture and fires them again.
“It’s like I’m creating my own canvas and then painting on them,” Beierle said.
Beierle said the finished sculptures are purposely placed on the floor instead of on a pedestal so viewers can interact with them at eye-level.
Beierle also includes a video that plays in the background of the exhibit that she made with her daughters.
The video is meant to serve as an interactive piece with the sculptures, Beierle said. The video features Beierle’s daughter as a glacier, crumbling away.
Beierle hopes that “Glacier” will encourage the public to think about its relationship with the planet.
“We’re all on this planet together,” Beierle said.
Beierle’s work will also be featured at other Southern California locations later this year. Her work will be displayed at the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art in September. It will also be displayed at the Pomona Art Colony.
“Glacier” will be available for viewing Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 5 p.m. and Wednesday from noon to 7 p.m. in the Dennis W. Dutzi art gallery located on upper campus.
