SARAH VAUGHN: REMINISCENCE

ORI GI NALVOI CES

Published by Ken Saunders Gallery 230 West Superior Street Chicago, IL 60654 www.kensaundersgallery.com © 2017 Ken Saunders Gallery All Rights Reserved Design by Amy Stieve Photography by Echard Wheeler

Published on the occasion of the exhibition SARAH VAUGHN: REMINISCENCE May 5 - July 1, 2017

sarah vaughn

REMINISCENCE

One prominent aspect of the studio glass movement is the bravado with which the most gifted artists push for technical brilliance. The example was set by the glass blowers of the Pacific Northwest who seem to possess singular visions and awesomely powerful bodies. For many of the most important artists working in glass formal and aesthetic concerns remain central to the work. The makers exert their prowess upon the molten shapes to re-affirm the harmony that is revealed in proportion, form and color.

Recently I have noticed that a new group of artists are taking a different approach to the material. For artists like Sarah Vaughn the forms are demanded by the emotions the artist seeks to convey. The figure’s attitude, posture and aura is defined by the meaning the artist seeks to share. The use of glass in these artist’s work is informed by things like the permanence of the material- and the tragedy of its fragility. Sarah Vaughn isn’t denying the rich decorative qualities of glass as a material but she is working in a different direction, choosing to explore the possibilities of expressing deep and personal feelings in a demanding and difficult medium.

Sarah Vaughn’s figurative sculpture Relentlessly Questioning finds our heroine pulling flower petals in search of the prophetic one amongst the bunch. She is oblivious to the sad farce of the thousands she has discarded into an ever-growing heap. The tableau resonates with the intensity of the artist’s own search for meaning in figurative works that are deeply expressive, unabashedly personal and self-reflective. Many of these figures seem to be struggling with heavy baggage or at least a large suitcase like the woman, who is so perfectly presented, in Dissociative Burden. The figure and her suitcase seem to be engaged in something between a dance and a tug-of-war.

The works in this exhibition are very small, especially for the emotional punch that they pack.

Though many of the figures are posed in what can easily be read as forlorn postures there is clearly an inner strength being conveyed in several of the works. Standing on a tall stage of books the figure in Vol 1-32: Standing on the Edge of What I Think I Know seems dizzied yet curious about her precarious perch and the vertiginous view. Even the figure in Dissociative Burden looks ready to give her suitcase everything she’s got.

Sarah Vaughn is an artist from a very small town in downstate Illinois. After completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art at Southern Illinois University Vaughn received her Master’s Degree in Fine Art from the Rochester Institute of Technology. She is currently an Artist–InResidence at the Glass Wheel Studio in Norfolk, Virginia. This is one of the artist’s first oneperson exhibitions. Previously Vaughn’s work was included in the group exhibition, Original Voices 2015 at this gallery.

Ken Saunders May, 2017

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I utilize glass as a primary means to create figurative sculptures. Glass, like a photograph, has the amazing ability to freeze a moment into a snapshot of a story. Though it can be fragile, the glass itself stands up to the test of time, lasting long after a memory has faded. I am intrigued by the how the mind processes memories and the concept of re-remembering. Something we can be so sure of can be a complete fabrication of our subconscious; in an instant we can remember ourselves as child, adolescent, and adult all at the same time. Timelines blur together, narratives weave in and out seamlessly.

This work is a continuation of my series, Reconstructed Memories. The figurative sculptures are tangible representations of the constantly evolving narrative of my life and mind.

Referencing the past as well as where I am, this story’s roots are based in a personal reality, yet appear to the viewer as an ambiguous, fantastical narrative. As the pieces take shape, many of the direct references to time, place, or personal experiences are removed from the visual context. I am creating a tangible representation of the intangible sentiments of human emotion and personal memory. This dissociative process leaves a specifically vague scenario representing the world as I see it; remembered through my distorted eyes and years. This leaves an objective situation for both myself and the viewer to consider.

Sarah Vaughn 2017

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CONVERSATION WITH A MEMORY kiln cast glass 16.5 x 22 x 7 inches 2017

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CONVERSATION WITH A MEMORY | MEMORY OF A CONVERSATION kiln cast glass 16.5 x 22 x 7 inches 2017

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MORNING INDULGENCE kiln cast glass 6 x 5.5 x 3 inches 2017

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MAKANDA MEMORIES kiln cast glass 4.5 x 5 x 3 inches 2017

RELENTLESSLY QUESTIONING kiln cast and flame worked glass, sterling silver 4 x 5 x 3.5 inches 2017

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STANDING ON THE EDGE OF WHAT I THINK I KNOW, VOL. 1-32 kiln cast glass 15.5 x 6 x 8 inches 2017

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THE GIRL IN THE GRASS kiln cast glass, mixed media 6 x 10.5 x 10.5 inches 2017

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LINGERING EXPRESSION kiln cast glass 3.5 x 4 x 3 inches 2017

DISSOCIATIVE BURDEN kiln cast glass 9 x 4.5 x 3.5 inches 2017

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EDUCATION 2014 MFA Glass / Rochester Institute of Technology 2007 BFA Glass, Minor in Art History / Southern Illinois University Carbondale EXHIBITIONS 2017 Now Arriving / Norfolk International Airport / Norfolk, VA Snapshots in Glass / Vestibule 102 Chrysler Museum Glass Studio / Norfolk, VA Reminiscence / Ken Saunders Gallery / Chicago, IL Homeward Bound / Taubman Museum of Art / Roanoke, VA

Teapots! 11th Invitational / Morgan Contemporary Glass Gallery / Pittsburgh, PA

Embracing Narrative / Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center / Portsmouth, VA 2016 Act ONE: Featuring the Resident Artist of Glass Wheel / Glass Wheel Gallery / Norfolk, VA

Gathering: Contemporary Glass from the Heartland / Atrium Gallery Ball State University / Muncie, IN

Just Between Us / Glass Wheel Gallery / Norfolk, VA 2015 Virginia Glass Guild 28th Annual Juried Art Exhibition / Charles H. Taylor Art Center / Hampton, VA Weather-Worn Memories / Vestibule 102 Chrysler Museum Glass Studio GATHERING: Contemporary Glass from the Heartland / Indiana Arts Center / Indianapolis, IN Original Voices / Ken Saunders Gallery / Chicago, IL 2014 Out of Town – Open USA: 44 American Glass Artist / Contemporary Glass Society Convergence III: 3rd Annual Graduate Research and Creativity Symposium Exhibition / University Gallery / Rochester, NY Reconstructed Memories: MFA Thesis Exhibition / Art and Vintage on Main Unexpected Imagery / Gallery R / Rochester, NY 2013 Arts Cultural Council’s Student Showcase / Arts and Cultural Center / Rochester, NY Glass Art Society International Student Exhibition Jurors Selection 2012 Emerge 2012 (juried) / Bullseye Gallery / Portland, OR 2011 A Display of Works / The Works Gallery / Newark, OH 2010 Glass at 40: Southern Glass Works Alumni Show / University Museum Carbondale Finding Balance / Third Degree Glass Factory / Saint Louis, MO Transition / Springfield City Hall Cart Gallery / Springfield, OR 2008 Emerge 2008 / Bullseye Resource Gallery / Portland, OR 2007 Rikert-Ziebold Award Trust Competition / Carbondale, IL Common Elements BFA Thesis Exhibition / Glove Factory / Carbondale, IL C-4, 1st Annual Juried Art Exhibition / Glove Factory / Carbondale, IL AWARDS 2017 Windgate Scholarship / Penland School of Crafts 2016 Scholarship / Pilchuck Glass School 2015 Honorable Mention / VGG 28th Annual Exhibition Juror Diane Wright 2014 Pilchuck Glass School Scholarship Scholarship / Corning Museum of Glass 1st Place / Glass Art Society Student Exhibition / Chicago, IL Glass Art Society Student Scholarship 2013 Rochester Institute of Technology Research and Creativity Grant Scholarship / Corning Museum of Glass 2008 Academic Award Emerge / Bullseye Glass 2007 Pilchuck Glass School Scholarship Rickert-Ziebold Award Trust Competition / SIUC

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PERMANENT COLLECTIONS 2015 Northlands Creative Glass Center / Lybster, Scotland 2009 Third Degree Glass Factory / Saint Louis MO 2003 East Richland High School / Olney IL PUBLICATIONS 2017 “Reminiscence” / Ken Saunders Gallery / Chicago, IL 2016 “The Glass Wheel Studio: Keeping the Creative Wheels Turning” / Distinction Magazine / February 2016, pg. 54-58 2015 “Original Voices” / American Art Collector Magazine / May 2015, pg 184-85 “Original Voices” / Ken Saunders Gallery / Chicago, IL / pg. 74-87 “Artist to Know” / Where Magazine Chicago / April 2015, pg 19 2013 Glass Art Society International Student Exhibition Jurors Selection / pg. 27 2012 “Emerge 2012” / Bullseye Glass / pg. 39 2008 “Emerge 2008” / Bullseye Glass / pg. 20-21 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 2016-present Adjunct Faculty / Old Dominion University / Norfolk, VA Adjunct Faculty / Chrysler Museum Glass Studio / Norfolk, VA Faculty / Governor’s School of Art / Norfolk, VA 2015-present Resident Artist/ Glass Wheel Studio / Norfolk, VA 2017 2016

2015-16 2015

2013-14 2012-14 2012 2011 2010-12 2010-11 2007-11

Studio Building Coordinator / Pilchuck Glass School / Stanwood, WA Teaching Assistant / Stacy Lynn Smith / Chrysler Museum Glass Studio / Norfolk, VA Studio Building Coordinator / Pilchuck Glass School / Stanwood, WA Board Assistant to Alex Bernstein / Glass Art Society Conference Artist Assistant / Robin and Julia Rogers / Charlotte Potter Visiting Artist Assistant / Sarah Blood, Rik Allen, Tom Moore, Toots Zynsky, Jess Fan, Dorian Garner / Chrysler Museum Glass Studio / Norfolk, VA Teaching Assistant / Julia Rogers, Robin Rogers / Charlotte Potter MFA Traveling Assistant / Chrysler Museum Glass Studio / Norfolk, VA Visiting Artist / Forest Park Community College / Saint Louis, MO Visiting Artist / East Richland High School / Olney, IL Artist Assistant, Robin Cass, David Schunckel Graduate Assistantship / Rochester Institute of Technology / Rochester, NY Pole Turner / Pilchuck Glass School / Stanwood, WA Visiting Artist / Glass Axis / Columbus, OH Artist in Residence / The WORKS / Newark, OH Glass Blower / Noble Glass / Eugene, OR Artist in Residence / University of Oregon / Eugene, OR Instructor / Third Degree Glass Factory / Saint Louis, MO

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