StarNews - The Fifth Element

The WAE, StarNews Wilmington Arts and Entertainment

Fourth Friday: ‘The Fifth Element’ on display at ACME

Thursday, September 25, 2014 at 7:06 by Justin Lacy

ACME Art Studios presents the opening reception of “The Fifth Element,” an all-ladies group show featuring works by locals Sandra Ihly, Katherine Webb, Peggy Vineyard, Kate Sinclair, Closie Randolph, Justine Ferreri, Anne Sinclair, Leslie Pearson and MJ Cunningham.

“MJ Cunningham got the group together as a way for us to socialize, critique our work, and develop exhibitions,” mixed-media artist Pearson wrote in a Facebook message. For this exhibition, Pearson is exhibiting encaustic paintings she made using hot beeswax, resin, pigment, and heat.

“In this era of ever increasing technology usage,” Pearson said, “I value the authentic experience of working with my hands. And yet, I like to take advantage of what’s available in the digital world. For example, “Specimens,” a gridded wall installation of 15 small encaustic pieces, was created by taking digital photographs with my iPhone using a special macro lens attachment. The images were then printed out onto cotton and silk crepe de chine fabrics. The fabrics were then imbedded within layers of molten beeswax on a solid substrate. The images are of animal skulls I’ve collected over the years, and vintage maps.

“The effect of layering images into wax is particularly interesting in this work because the fabrics become transparent and the images merge with each other to become one element. The beeswax is brushed on while it’s in a molten state and then scraped back leaving a rich texture.”

“The Fifth Element” opens with a public reception 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 26, in coordination with Fourth Friday Gallery Nights, a monthly, self-guided art walk throughout downtown Wilmington’s galleries and studios.

The show receives a closing celebration 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 17.