in hand

The wonder of these types of artwork, the forms and materials, and the fact that they are so "in hand," is that they allow for a slowing down of time, for contemplation and quietness. Words beginning with "I" come to mind.

Intimacy: This particular artwork requires intimacy with the artist as well as the viewer. Truly the artwork in this exhibition is up close and personal. Every part or piece is studied and contemplated. The search is for uniqueness, for relationships, for connections between part and whole. Our work becomes a part of us, and we gain intimate knowledge of it as well as of ourselves.

Innovation: This artwork often requires intense problem solving and contemplation of how things fit together, and even belong together. As artists, we search for new ways to make connections with self, with others, with community, and with other work. The making of this requires very close observation.

Intricacy: A certain level of detail appears in this work. The artist loves the process and the intricacy; and asks the viewer to enjoy and contemplate the detail. Artists often hope to prompt questions, to push the viewers in their interest and even delight, and to feel/share the experience of falling in love with the materials all over again.

Intuition: We artists use elemental materials. Work in clay is considered the oldest art form. Paper, fiber, over beaten flax and glass are all ancient materials. Old and time-tested beading techniques that appear in the work of the Egyptian and the Persians are incorporated. We respond to the art of the ancient but we also contemplate in contemporary terms. Much of our work is intuitive and technical because it has been ingrained, however our concepts are as important and integral to the fruition of all of our pieces.

Did you notice how we have repeated the word contemplation? Our work itself becomes both a literal and symbolic form of prayer. You may also have noticed a pun. "Eye" could be substituted for "I." For both viewer and artist, the eye, the hand, and the intellect play "hand in hand."

Helen Bonzelaar, Anna Greidanus, Jo-Ann Van Reeuwyk

Friends and Calvin Faculty