Ceramic exhibition examines the environmental impact of consumerism

January 29, 2018

STATESBORO, Ga.—Master of Fine Arts candidate, Courtney Ryan’s thesis exhibition “Irrational Aggregates” will be on view at the Center for Art & Theatre’s Contemporary Gallery from Feb. 12-19. A reception will be held on Friday, Feb. 16 at 5 p.m.

Through excessive attention to detail and a strong sensitivity to surface, Courtney Ryan transforms clay into sculptures that she imagines have emerged organically from their surroundings. Her sculptures both suspend and amplify our natural and consumerist relationships with the materials and artifacts we display in our homes in order to create a sense of domesticity and belonging.

“It can often be considered mundane and trivial, but the everyday object or experience can bring inspiration into my studio,” said Courtney Ryan, Masters of Fine Arts candidate. “It’s refreshing to interpret my experiences through my hands in ceramic and sculpture.”

While Ryan’s artwork may not appear similar in shape or material, they all are focused on the same theme, which is nature changing along with society’s consistently evolving urban and suburban environments. Tea cups, knick-knacks, and other materials have a vital role in the artwork, creating a discussion about nature developing and over-taking society’s personal environment while humans themselves consume their own urban territory.

Ryan is actively involved within the community as well as outside of Statesboro, Ga. She painted an eagle that is outside of Howard Lumber & Hardware, and has also painted a mural at the lumberyard. Outside of Statesboro, Ryan’s artwork has been featured at multiple universities and in magazines as well. Currently, she is a teaching assistant at Georgia Southern University.

“Courtney is a dynamo of ideas and activity, and is relentless in experimenting and pushing her work into new territory,” says Gallery Director Jason Hoelscher. “That the range of forms and approaches she takes all emerge from a shared set of concerns and concepts makes her ceramics all the more compelling, and I look forward to seeing the work collected into one gallery.”

All events are free and the public is invited to attend.

Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research institution founded in 1906, offers 142 degree programs serving more than 27,000 students through nine colleges on three campuses in Savannah, Statesboro, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia, the University provides a diverse student population with expert faculty, world-class scholarship and hands-on learning opportunities. Georgia Southern creates lifelong learners who serve as responsible scholars, leaders and stewards in their communities. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.