Joseph Barberio has returned with new sculptural clay forms. His approach ensures the singularity of each piece, since he builds either by coiling or forms a piece from hand rolled slabs. All his work is bisque fired in the normal fashion, then goes through a special, second firing with sawdust in small metal barrels. While he begins each piece with a specific design in mind, Joseph often lets the clay “talk” to him during the slow shaping process. His aim is sometimes sculptural rather than functional thus a few of his pieces are closed, mid-sized forms. None are considered food-safe, though his vase-like forms are treated on the interior to allow them to hold water.
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Judith Fischer, his wife, is also displaying oil paintings and tiny acrylic paintings. Her painting has brought her full circle through watercolors and pastels, back to the oils of her earliest training where she was first taught to translate colors, perspective, composition, design, and the patterns of light and dark. She aims continually for more looseness and personal interpretation in each piece she creates. Art, for her, is a manifestation of the adage that “the journey is much more important than the destination.”
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Joseph and Judith create art at their studio in Hostile Valley in Liberty. Their exhibit will be at the library during July and August. All of their items are for sale with 50% of the sales being donated to the library.