The High Street Gallery will host “Curiosity,” an exhibition of high-fire reduction ceramics by Stephen Derrick Jr., 7-10 p.m. April 6. The gallery is located in Victoria House, 2110 Victoria St. in Beaumont. Entry is free and the artwork will be for sale. Refreshments provided during the event.
Derrick is a native Southeast Texan. Born in Beaumont but spending most of his life in Austin, he returned to Beaumont to study at Lamar University and graduated with a bachelor of fine arts degree in 2006. During his third year at Lamar he was introduced to ceramics by professor Linnis Blanton and soon became fascinated with the medium and its process. After a 10-year hiatus from art, Derrick returned to Beaumont to pursue his passion for ceramics.
His work is a reflection of his interest in science and nature, more specifically chemistry and astronomical phenomena. “Curiosity” will exhibit two specific series of his current work — Cosmic Imaginings and Alien Topography.
“Cosmic Imaginings was inspired by Hubble deep-field images of nebulas, star fields and galaxy formations,” Derrick says. “Alien Topography originated from chemical experimentation with layering stable and unstable glazes. When combined, gas is produced under the outer layer of glaze, which creates raised surface textures and crater-like formations while exposing the glaze underneath. These textures mimic impact craters and landmass formations one might expect to see on a lunar surface.
“In today’s society, more time is spent checking one’s Facebook status than learning about the world and universe around them. The desire to learn seems to be snuffed out as soon as someone is handed a diploma. By illustrating some of the beauty and wonder of the universe, this exhibit seeks to help reignite the spark of curiosity and imagination.”
For more information, visit High Street Gallery on Facebook and Lizardworks Pottery on Facebook.