Two ceramic sculptures by clay artist Cindy Biles, program administrator in the Love School of Business, have been selected to exhibit in “Testifyin’ 2005: A National Competition.” The show runs from February 14 through March 31 in the Rosenthal Gallery at Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, NC. At the opening reception Feb. 28, Biles’ received one of four Merit Awards for her work.
“Testifyin’ ” addresses the diverse voices and visions which give complexity and depth to any women’s reality. It is part of a multimedia project combining visual and performing arts. Five performances of Eve Ensler’s “The Vagina Monologues” were offered in February, kicked off with a black tie event on February 14. Beginning with a reception on February 28, the exhibit will be open to the general public. Proceeds will go to The Care Center Battered Women’s Shelter Special Fund in Fayetteville.
In response to a Call for Slides, artists from around the country submitted 125 entries in a variety of media. Of these, 52 were selected for the exhibition. Soni Martin, Professor of Art and Coordinator of the Rosenthal Gallery said, “I personally find this to be one of the most exciting exhibits we’ve hosted. Certainly one of the best, if not the best.” The 42 artists represented have “helped to make the exhibit a challenging and thought-provoking exhibit of the highest quality.”
Biles’ interest in clay became a passion when she enrolled in Ceramics I and II with Mike Sanford at Elon. There she learned technical skills and design concepts necessary to advance her work. In spring, 2001, Sanford invited Coy Quakenbush to demonstrate his technique of hand building and decorating pots. This was a major influence on the evolution of Biles’ art, which culminated in the carved vessels selected for the Fayetteville show. The two pieces, “Finally Comfortable in Her Own Skin,” above, and “Sex Pot,” right, address body image and self-esteem.
For more information contact Soni Martin at Fayetteville State University: (910) 672-1057.