“Feathers’ Second Flight”
Row House Cafe is pleased to present “Feathers’ Second Flight”
an art exhibition from artist Chris Maynard.
EVENT DETAILS:
Artist Reception: Thursday January 10th, 2013: 6pm-9pm
Artist in attendance; Refreshments will be served
Reception Purchase Incentive: 20% off on all sales Jan. 10TH
Show Duration: Through January 20, 2013
Location: Row House Cafe / 1170 Republican St, Seattle, WA 98109
Historic Cascade Neighborhood • South Lake Union • Seattle
Gifts from Nature
We often overlook the true beauty of nature that surrounds us, missing out on the little intricacies of life. Chris Maynard is not one to take that beauty for granted. In his work with feathers, Chris has been able to capture artwork from the skies and present feathers with a fresh perspective. Form, pattern and color are the attributes emphasized in Maynard’s work and he measures success on whether his pieces “convey some intimate sense of the bird that grew the feathers.” Many of the molted supplies used by Maynard come from zoos and private aviaries. All the feathers features in Maynard’s work are legal to own and sell, as he has spent a large amount of time navigating the complex legal requirements with federal and local authorities. It is apparent in his work, the respect and appreciation that Maynard has for these offerings from nature. For without them, Chris would have to seek out another medium.
Finely Tuned Perfection
Maynard does not choose the supplies for his work “lightly.” “When I have an idea for a piece, the feathers have to be perfect.” Whether it is a single feather from a Cockatoo or a collection from different pheasants, time is taken to achieve the perfect form, composition and lighting. Apart from the beauty of the feathers themselves, Maynard’s layouts impart a greater significance to the patterns on display. He approaches his work with the tools of a surgeon and the eye of an artist, fine-tuning his pieces with dynamic precision. This attention to detail is most prominently displayed in Maynard’s most recent offerings.
In the Shadows
Chris Maynard’s latest work sheds new light on feathers. Literally. Using shadowboxes and a surgical scalpel, Maynard’s work comes to life as small cutouts of birds burst from the feathers, returning to the skies. It is another homage to the birds that once wore them. The shadows cast are as important as the feathers themselves, giving the displays their three-dimensional and lifelike appearance. After viewing Chris’ extensive collection, it may be hard to decide whether the feathers looked better on the bird or in his displays. Either way, Chris is putting the molted remnants to good use.
The Artist
A native Washingtonian and graduate of Evergreen State College, Chris Maynard now makes his home in Olympia. Apart from his extensive work with feathers, Chris currently teaches design, paper working and sculpting at Olympia’s Community Art Studio and Seattle’s Fremont Powerhouse Studio. Chris’ feather artwork is quickly gaining recognition throughout the United States and internationally, with a number of solo exhibits set for 2013. Chris Maynard can be reached at (360) 878-0755 or via email info@featherfolio.com www.featherfolio.com www.facebook.com/featherfolio
From thoughtful to thought-provoking, artist Yoona Lee is a muse in her own right. Her artistry in turn encourages and coaxes responses from viewers who, no longer passive, hear the sound of their emotions. The cafe setting itself embodies the art, as to experience a vessel’s contents. Enjoy, and come back for more.