New Works by Crystal Morey
December 4th - January 22nd
Crystal Morey's intention is to explore human emotion and its relationship to our natural world. While studying the tenuous, symbiotic balance between human necessities and the health of our habitat, she has combined her impulse and drive to create with her thoughts of the world and its curious progression. She explores changes to the environment and how it influences our psyches, body language, and attitudes towards life. In particular, she is fascinated in those poignant, articulate moments of beauty, found through stress, that are able to re-form ideas in unexpected ways. By revealing these delicate thoughts she exposes the fragility in our coalition with the earth and the balance that is needed in order for life to continue.
In this body of work she has thought about evolution and cycles of life, with water being a constant theme. Life came from the sea and now through polluted run-off, so much of our waste finds its way back to the sea. This destructive twist to the water cycle has the potential to alter natural life in ways we cannot yet fully comprehend.
The result of these explorations are invented landscapes inhabited by figures who observe, contemplate and respond to their surroundings without judging the actions that created them. In this habitat, natural beauty contrasts with the man-made changes that have altered the environment. These sculptures show the sadness as well as the hope that can come from new beginnings - new beginnings that are necessary whether desired or not.
Crystal Morey graduated with a BFA with an emphasis in ceramics from California College of the Arts. Morey possesses a rigorous and prolific studio practice in Oakland, and teaches ceramics at UC Berkeley's ASUC. Artist residencies to-date include Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina and the Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts in Maine. She has exhibited in Atlanta at Young Blood Gallery, in Pittsburgh at Los Medanos College, and in San Jose at Anno Domini, among multiple local shows.
Artist's Website: www.crystalmorey.com