September 9, 2005 - October 15, 2005

ARTISTS
Ann Chamberlain
Amy Franceschini/Michael Swaine
David Ireland
Bernie Lubell
Christian Maychack
Jim Melchert
Scott Oliver
Stephanie Syjuco
Mark Thompson
Tony Tredway
Anna Von Mertens

DESCRIPTION
Practice Makes Perfect: Bay Area Conceptual Craft explores the work of a group of emerging and established Bay Area artists who utilize highly skilled craft processes for the production of conceptually based work. The exhibition will define a recent history of conceptually oriented craft practices in the Bay Area from the past 30 years as well as establish its significance as a local and national practice. The artists in Conceptual Craft use labor-intensive practices that are deliberate, elaborately constructed, even verging on the obsessive and utilize traditional materials such as wood, fabric, glass, and ceramics. However, unlike traditional craftspeople, these artists use their highly-refined skills to produce work that is rooted in conceptual art, moving beyond the craft process to a more sophisticated set of ideas. In essence, their craft exists in service of content. This particular type of work has a long history in the Bay Area and continues to exist among an emerging generation of artists as well.

Conceptual Craft is organized by SoEx’s Curatorial Committee, a group of 8 artists and curators. The Committee curates thematic exhibitions that respond to new trends in artistic practice, reach out to diverse audiences, and encourage a debate on contemporary art and culture. These exhibitions are a unique opportunity for emerging curators to bring topical issues to a broader audience and to explore experimental curatorial practices.

In conjunction with Conceptual Craft, Southern Exposure presents a series of public programs to explore the ideas presented in the exhibition and to launch a critical dialog about the significance of craft in contemporary and conceptual art. Southern Exposure presents a panel discussion to expand on issues central to the concurrent exhibition as well as a series of artists talks that will take place throughout the run of the show.

Southern Exposure produced a full-color catalog to accompany the exhibition with critical essays about the role of craft in conceptual art, images of the work, as well as essays about each of the artists in the show.