Brains, masks, guns and flags are displayed at the Art Museum at the WCU Bardo Center showcasing the work of Geoffry Bowton exhibit Veteran Obsolete.
Bowton will be visiting for the Bardo Fine Art Museum for a public reception on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 5 p.m.
During the reception he will be speaking on the process, inspiration and meaning behind his sculptures.
Bowton is completing his residency at the Penland School of Craft and this is his final showcase as a student at the school and one not to be missed. The exhibit features many pieces produced during his residency and some that are on display for the very first time.
Bowton, a veteran, draws inspiration for his pieces from his experiences in and out of the military. His works explore emotionally heavy themes that many veterans endure, such as trauma, PTSD, depression and suicide. Bringing attention to issues that tend to go unnoticed until too late.
To produce each one, he uses a variety of techniques, and a medium unique to Bowton’s work – glass. Many of his sculptural pieces are a mixture of mold making, casting and a slow layering process built up of very fine smashed glass.
“This is a medium he essentially created,” said exhibit designer Greg Mcpherson. “No one else is really doing this.”
The final product is a beautiful variety of color and coarse in texture. The sculptures feel worn, beat, distressed and fading similarly to our soldiers once returned from combat.
The event will conclude at 7 p.m., while Bowton’s pieces will be on display at the gallery through Dec. 4.
The Museum also has two additional exhibits that feature work from artists Mary Stewart and Kei Ito as well, with both touching on similar themes of war.
