GoFigure: Exploring Three-Dimensional Figurative Art
April 5-27, 2024
GoFigure: Exploring Three-Dimensional Figurative Art
Opening reception: Friday, April 5, 5:00-9:00 PM
Gallery hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Saturday, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Additional gallery hours from 5:00-7:00 PM for Gallery 1010 openings on Thu Apr 11, Thu Apr 18, and Fri Apr 26.
“GOFIGURE – Exploring Three-Dimensional Figurative Art”, will illustrate how the vision and skill of talented makers can transform figurative art beyond what is typically thought to be a “doll” or a toy.
Three- dimensional figurative art has evolved over the years to include a wide range of artistic styles and mediums. The figures included in the exhibit incorporate a variety of materials such as paper clay, polymer clay, fabric, wood, felt, and natural or synthetic wool. Each piece is an entirely original work of art which requires a wide range of skills to create; including sculpting, painting, costuming, and creating structure and framework to present the figure. Each work of art can take weeks, or in some cases months, to complete.
This exhibit consists of three-dimensional figurative art created by GoFigure Guild members. The goal of our exhibit is to educate and move the viewer beyond what is often thought of as a traditional doll design into appreciation for a 3D figurative work of art.
BIOGRAPHY
GoFigure Guild, is a mixed media group that creatively explores the art of the figure. The guild is made up of over 30 doll makers from Mitchell, Yancey, Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson,Transylvania, and Wilson Counties in North Carolina; Greenville, South Carolina; and Knoxville, Tennessee. The purpose of the group is to enhance the appreciation of three-dimensional figurative art and to support improvement of our artists’ skills. The abilities of the members range from beginner to professional doll makers.
“Art Dolls” are a misunderstood art form in that they are not what would be considered a typical doll or toy. Through our community service projects and exhibitions, Guild members educate the public about figurative art; the process of design and creation; and the members motivation for creating this type of art. The group’s strength is our deep appreciation for the art of the doll and is reinforced through the free exchange of ideas among our members and the support that we give each one another as we continue to perfect out art.
GoFigure Guild presented our first group show in 2018 at Toe River Arts Gallery in Spruce Pine, NC, followed by a 2021 show with The Cleveland County Arts Council in Shelby, NC. In 2023 we exhibited at Mars Hill University’s Weizenblatt Gallery in Mars Hill, NC. We also maintain an ongoing exhibit at the I-26 West North Carolina Welcome Center.
The group’s work has been exhibited at the Spencer Doll and Toy Museum, in Spencer, NC; the Land of Sky Doll Club Southeastern Doll Show, Asheville, NC; and The International Doll & Teddy Bear Show, Asheville, NC; amongst others.
Professional doll makers in the group exhibit individually both regionally and nationally, through galleries and such organizations as the Southern Highlands Craft Guild, National Institute of American Doll Artists (NIADA), Foothills Craft Guild, Toe River Arts Council, and the Blue Ridge Arts Trail. Members’ work has also been highlighted in publications such as Art Doll Quarterly, Contemporary Doll Collector and several regional publications.