Stonewhere

curated by Dan McCarthy

The artworks are Arnie’s. How he got there is my idea.

Drawn from a period of 40 years and counting I’ve made a selection of 7 artworks from 2 separate groups of Arnie’s overall ceramic production. Two artworks are from the series Smallworlds circa 2002. Five are from the ongoing Vessels from 2012-2014.

THIS I’VE WITNESSED

Arnie in his Ainslie Street studio in Brooklyn, focused, intuitively working steady with both hands fully engaged in the object’s potential. Forming a head or a leg for instance and letting his response to that head or leg direct his hands in the next step of the process, such as making a face or a foot. In the studio Arnie responds to what is in front of him with his experience thus becoming part of a dynamic loop with the clay, the object and his life.

This I’ve understood

The object’s creation becomes an extension of Arnie’s personal journey. This journey coupled with his wish, allows the object to become present. Arnie’s process takes on a life of its own which he guides and mostly accepts. His method and manner are not extravagant promises but simply his way to animate inanimate materials, thus being part of a timeless tradition. Arnie’s story is expressed in his technique and embedded in the object he makes.

THIS IS WHAT I THINK

Arnie’s spirit and wish are invested into the objects he produces. Artworks invested with experience stand the best chance against time. Arnie’s work expresses both a belief in action and the presence of intuitive thought.

Dan McCarthy
June 29, 2018