On display in the Welborn Gallery: September 8 – October 28, 2022

The Yadkin Arts Council presents “Handmade: Portraits of the Artist’s Tools” – by Bryan Rierson- September 8  thru October 28, 2022.  This large-scale black and white photography exhibit features local artisans displaying pieces that they themselves have created with their tools (their hands). In addition to the photos, there will be information about each artist displayed alongside each piece. The artisans featured will also be invited to display a 3D piece of their work on a pedestal in the gallery as well. Bryan received funding for this project and exhibit from the North Carolina Arts Council as part of their Artist Support Grant program in 2021 & 2022. There will be an opening reception on September 8th at 5 pm to celebrate this show. Admission is free and all are welcome to attend.

ABOUT THE INSPIRATION FOR THE EXHIBIT:

The love of handmade craft inspired Bryan Rierson to begin a project in 2019  photographing portraits of artists and artisans, showing their hands rather  than their faces. He titled it “Handmade- Portraits of the Artist’s Tools.” Rierson  began with Brandon Edwards, a wet plate collodion photographer. His  portrait shows his chemical-stained hands holding a 4” tintype he made. He has since photographed a variety of artisans displaying different mediums. Each photograph features the artist’s hands holding his or her work, or in some cases the tools or materials they use to produce the work. All images were shot on film, in black and white. This handmade aspect of the work helps to  tie it into the handmade craft of each of his subjects.

ARTIST STATEMENT by Bryan Rierson:

I find it quite satisfying to create something tangible with my own hands. My  photographic journey began in the film age when we made our creative decisions  before clicking the shutter, creating the finished photograph in the darkroom with a  process that felt like magic… or alchemy.  The advent of digital capture took away some of that feeling of craft, and  manipulating images in computer software made my photographs feel more like  manufactured copies to me rather than one-of-a-kind handmade prints. I am also an  amateur woodworker, so I appreciate fine handcrafted work. After years of digital  photography I have returned to my roots, abandoning the digital camera in favor of  traditional film for my fine art work. I photograph people – both posed portraits and real life. I have found that my  subjects appreciate the fact that I am crafting their photograph with traditional  methods, and often they tell me about their passion for something that they too  create by hand. This shared love of handmade art inspires me to continue working  to perfect my craft.

MORE INFO:

What: “Handmade: Portraits of the Artist’s Tools” – by Bryan Rierson

When: On Display September 8 – October 28, 2022

Where: Welborn Gallery in the Yadkin Cultural Arts Center at 226 E. Main St., Yadkinville, NC 27055 (open Monday-Friday 9:30am-4:30pm and during special events)

This Project was supported by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. www.NCArts.org.