We are excited that we have two Guild Fellows and two Guild Artisans of the International Guild of Miniatures Artisans (IGMA.org) who have contributed to the BadAss Miniatures exhibition. Here's a recap of the work they created for this show along with thoughts from the artists on the pieces they created.
CAROLYN NYGREN CURRAN/Guild Fellow
"BadAssemblage: Bottle Forms and Breasts"
Non-Specific Scale Pottery
Carolyn created a variety of wheel-thrown and hand-built pottery bottles and sculptures in non-specific scale using contemporary Raku and saggar firing techniques which encourages spontaneity through direct action of flame.
"BadAssemblage" is a collection of sensuous bottle forms and sculptures juxtaposed with jarring and strong angular forms to illustrate the feminine and masculine aspects of life and art.
"When we think of pottery bottle forms, we often use words like 'belly' and 'neck'. Bottle forms sometimes mimic the curve of the woman's pregnant belly, her soft curves, the whole feminine ethos thing. If the bottle form takes on the aspect of the masculine, this is often intentional and strays from the traditional image of the fertile goddess. My selection of multiple miniature ceramic forms explore the yin-yang dialogue in both bottle forms and figurative sculpture."
– Carolyn Nygren Curran
BROOKE ROTHSHANK/Guild Fellow
"More Than a Little Unrest"
Non-Specific Scale Illustration
Brooke created a watercolor on paper illustration with hand-cut paper scene as border floating above the painting.
"With so much turbulence and pain in our world there are many reasons for people to stand up and insist their voices be heard. I have been impressed with the children and teens that refuse to stay quiet about recent gun safety. Equality, caring for our world, and embracing our diversity seems to come more easily for children. "
– Brooke Rothshank
Brooke's illustrations were recreated on hand-thrown pottery made by her husband Justin Rothshank making this the perfect BadAss collaboration.
SUSAN VAN TUBBERGEN/Guild Artisan
"Pyromaniac"
1:12 Scale Raku Pottery
For Pyromaniac, Susan used a special blend of porcelain clay that can withstand the extremes of raku firings. The pieces were wheel thrown, altered, sculpted, trimmed and kiln fired just like a full size piece. They were then glazed and fired a second time in a raku kiln. The red hot piece was then removed from the raku kiln and placed in a small container with combustible materials like newspaper and sawdust. Once the piece ignited, the container was covered. The reduction process, which starves the pot from oxygen, causes the raw clay to turn black, and, depending on the glaze used, resulted in a rainbow of brilliant metallic colors. Because there are so many variables involved, every firing is unpredictable, every piece is truly BadAss unique.
“Miniature artists are beginning to stretch the limits for their work, no longer content to replicate traditional work or vintage European pieces. This is what I strive to achieve."
– Susan Van Tubbergen
MICHAEL YURKOVIC/Guild Artisan
"Out of Darkness"
1:12 Scale Vignette
This piece evolved organically as much of his diorama/vignette style work does. In this case the humble little paint can struck him as a vehicle for a message. His love of urban spaces, and respect for street art, led to this opportunity to communicate in this format.
"My piece represents in a 3 dimensional format the constant battle between love/tolerance and hatred/bigotry; a struggle which again is rearing its ugly face in popular culture, but on certain levels never leaves the scene entirely. Fantasy and reality are blended to reflect my optimistic fundamental belief in humanity.”
– Michael Yurkovic
About BadAss Miniatures
Over 30 artists cause a little trouble by creating tiny art without boundaries. Defiant, quirky, and slightly uncomfortable. Welcome to the disobedient dollhouse.
BadAss Miniatures presents emerging perspectives in the miniature arts: an exhibition of original works in the miniature form contributed by artists from across the United States and abroad. Featured works represent a novel movement that challenges the status quo in the miniature art form through the presentation of unconventional ideas and concepts and the quirky, outlandish, surprising use of miniatures. “BadAss” aims to push the envelope on the traditional (rethink the dollhouse!) with an edgy and bold attitude showcasing the most jaw-dropping, surprising—maybe even shocking—miniature badassery to hit the 21st century.
BadAss was developed through the ongoing collaboration of Darren Scala and Kate Ünver, founder of dailymini, to push the boundaries of our traditional use of miniatures by spotlighting the edgy and bold attitudes of today’s artists.
BadAss Miniatures is on view through July 22 at YoHo Studios, 540-578 Nepperhan Avenue, Studio #566 in Yonkers, NY. Gallery hours are by appointment on Wednesday and Thursday 3-7pm and Saturday 11am-7pm. Hours are subject to change - visitors should call ahead.
For more information about BadAss Miniatures, please contact Darren T. Scala at D. Thomas Miniatures or visit dthomasfineminiatures.com/badass. For the latest innovations and news in miniature art, please visit thedailymini.com.
Exhibition Director: Donald Morcone
ABOUT D. THOMAS MINIATURES
D. Thomas Miniatures is a retail and gallery destination featuring top quality collectibles including 1/12th scale structure, furniture and accessories. The concept, designed to appeal to collectors, crafters and enthusiasts was created, in part, to raise awareness of miniatures as a decorative art form and to introduce the discipline not only to a new generation but to those who may just be discovering it! The gallery space showcases work in miniature by well-known artists from all over the world.
