Flux: Works by Colleen Toledano, An Exhibition of Multimedia Ceramic Sculptures

January 04, 2018

An Illuminated Perspective, 2016 Porcelain, artificial foliage, balsa wood

By Ramona Austin

Old Dominion University's Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Galleries presents "Flux: Works by Colleen Toledano," an exhibition of multimedia ceramic sculptures combining clay, resin, gold, balsa wood, mahogany, plexiglass, metal piping, artificial foliage and commercial decals.

In the exhibit, these disparate materials combine into delicate and fantastical imagery that are organic-looking forms encased in quasi-architectural forms. The effect gives viewers a sense of looking at the artist's interior self as she struggles with the surrounding environment.

The exhibition will be on view from Jan. 13 to Feb. 18 at the Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Galleries. A free reception with the artist will be held on Friday, Jan. 12 from 7 to 9 p.m. Refreshments will be provided, and the event is open to the public.

A constantly appearing shape in the exhibition is the form of a structure, in some instances reminiscent of a house. The fracturing of some of these forms suggests that the artist herself seeks existential cohesion by becoming something new.

Through her works Toledano fights against the entropy of modern life for self-identity, emotional satisfaction, comfort and security. As Toledano states, "Life presents itself with poignant moments of extreme sadness and happiness that help to define who we are as a person. These events may demand from us work and commitment in order to find the point when everything can turn to overwhelming contentment."

Colleen Toledano holds a Master of Fine Arts in ceramics from Ohio University. She is currently Assistant Professor of Design in Ceramics at Buffalo State College in New York. In 2016 she was awarded the State of New York and United Professions Discretionary Award. She has appeared in numerous national and international group exhibitions as well as a number of solo exhibitions. Her works are in the permanent collections of the International Museum of Ceramics Bechyně, Czech Republic; Art Park in Lewiston, New York; Laufen CZ/Jika Factory, Bechyně, Czech Republic; Alternate Space for Contemporary Arts, White Plains, New York; Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, Montana; and in the private collections of Stan and Barbara Shapiro, Philadelphia, Ohio; and Brad and Cathy Schwieger, Athens, Ohio. Her work has been discussed and critiqued in numerous articles, and she has spoken at public and private institutions across the United States.

The Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Galleries exhibit works by nationally and internationally recognized self-taught artists, contemporary artists working in all media, and local and regional artists connected with Old Dominion University. Free and open to the public, with parking in the 45th Street garage. Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. For more information, contact Senior Curator Ramona Austin at (757) 683-6272 or raustin@odu.edu.