Points of Convergence
Image: (clockwise from top left) Deanna Pastel, Erin Cunningham, Mai Gutierrez, Andrea De Leon
Erin Cunningham, Andrea De Leon, Mai Gutierrez, Deanna Pastel
Exhibition Dates: April 15th -May 14th
Four Women - Four Approaches:
Steel and Glass. Iron and Silver. Stone and Steel Paintings. Coppersmithing and Found Objects.
Each artist brings complexity to their work that balances both strength and fragility of their process within the physical constraints of their individual chosen materials. Through the applications of pressure, force, heat, and sculpting, each work has transformed an existing object into something new. In this process, they conjure their own realm where actions imbue aesthetics representing natural behavior through unnatural forms.
Erin Cunningham (b. 1979 Honolulu, HI) is an artist living and working in Austin, Texas. She received her BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2003 and an MFA in studio art from The University of Texas at Austin in 2007. With a focus in sculpture, her work utilizes material combinations, such as cast metals, and the female figure to explore dualities of masculine and feminine, disposable and precious, fragility and strength. She has shown both nationally and internationally, including at The Metropolitan Art Museum in Tokyo and at Mönchskirche Salzwedel, in Salzwedel, Germany. Artist residencies include BAER Art Center in Hofsos, Iceland as well as Atelierhaus Residency Hilmsen in Hilmsen, Germany. Cunningham is one of the founding members of the ICOSA Collective, an artist-run exhibition space in Austin TX. She currently holds a position as an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Department of Art and Art History at The University of Texas at Austin. www.erincunninghamart.com
Andrea De Leon is a Mexican-American artist based in Austin, Texas. She obtained her BFA in Studio Arts from the University of Texas and has received multiple awards, some of which include residencies at Ox Bow School of Art and Penland School of Crafts. She has worked and exhibited internationally and currently teaches metalsmithing in several institutions in Texas. Andrea was a founding member of ICOSA Collective and continues to evolve her sculptural practice. www.andreadeleon.com
Mai Gutierrez (1987, Monterrey, MX) is a multi-disciplinary architectural designer and artist living in Austin, TX. She earned her BFA and Masters in Architecture from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico, she sources her inspiration from nature by using natural elements in her work such as stone, wood and metal labored to display an architectural aesthetic. Her work has been exhibited in the United States and Mexico. Gutierrez’ current practice consists of architectural and interior design services, as well as sculpture and public art. www.studiosinfin.com
Deanna Pastel was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2010 she received her BFA in Jewelry/Metals at Kent State University. For two years after college, she worked for Heather B. Moore Inc. in Cleveland, OH fine-tuning her skills in soldering gold, setting stones and hand stamping. She landed in Austin, TX in 2012, and began her career as a main teacher and Studio Manager at Creative Side Jewelry Academy where she has spent five years developing core curriculum, while working closely with other master artists and her students. She continues to teach at multiple establishments around Austin and San Antonio, and has been continuing to develop her craft at her home studio for production and commission work that is sold around the greater Austin area.
