Third Annual Jade Art Now Show 2009
-
Third Annual Jade Art Now Show 2009
Studying Georg's Sculpture
Warring States Period Jade Vessel
Phenomenal Carver Deborah Wilson Enjoying the Evening Festivities
Admiring Jade Carvings
Peter Schilling & Matthew Glasby Showing their Creations
A wonderful gathering of Jade Enthusiasts from around the globe gathered for the third annual Jade Art Now show during the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show period between February 7TH and 16TH at the Antiquities, Plus… Gallery. Our Grand Opening night was once again a fabulous get together and much fun was had by all, This marvelous event was visited by hundreds of people interested in both the finest of the New Carvers and love for the Ancient Chinese and Meso-American Jade Artifacts on display. Without a doubt this years show was a phenomenal success for all involved and seems to be one of the finest venues for the New Jade and Jadeite Carvers to show their amazing new creations of sculptures and pendants. Sculptures and other fine Art Work were created from stones for all over the world including the famous jades of Canada, New Zealand, Siberia, Wyoming, California, Alaska, and Jadeite from both Guatemala and Burma. Sales at this event exceeded all expectations for a down turned economy and were more than at par with all the previous shows held at the gallery. We would like to personally thank each and everyone who play an integral part in putting on this unique show of some of the finest talent in Contemporary Jade and Jadeite Carving in the world. Also a special thanks for all the devoted patrons that came from all over the world to support these wonderful artists and world of jade in general. Also, a special thanks to Mr. Warren Rees from Texas for exhibiting his marvelous creations carved in the 1970′s and 1980′s. On now to the Big Sur Jade Festival in October and our new, larger show Jade Through The Ages 2010 which will be a higher profile show more geared to the over 8,000 Year Old History of Jade Carving and everyone who enjoys The Wonderful World of Jade Through The Ages.
-
Tom Finneran USA
-
Lewis Gardiner New Zealand
-
Matthew Glasby USA
-
Greg Maitland New Zealand
-
Brian Matheson Canada
-
Warren Rees USA
-
Donn Salt New Zealand
-
Peter Schilling USA
-
Georg Schmerholz Transylvania
-
Jan Sjogstrom Sweden
-
Lee Speights USA
-
Steve Stegall USA
-
Deborah Wilson Canada
-
Robert Winslow USA
Jade Enthusiastes in Admiration
Matthew Glasby Showing His Marvelous Works In Big Sur Jade
White Siberian Nephrite
Donn Salt & Georg Schmerholz Truly Enjoying the Moment
Wyoming Jade Baby
Enjoying The Opening At Antiquities, Plus... Gallery
Just One of the Fine Cases Filled With Large Archaic Chinese Jades
Juju With Deborah Wilson's Sculpture "Awakening"
JuJu viewing Deborah’s ’Awakening’ sculpture.
David Fredericks
Wow David, The sight is looking great. Anticipate learning more of these ancient jades and acquiring a greater knowledge of the ancient workings.
Microscopic examination of the few I had a chance to examine myself bought back memories of similar studies carried out on old Maori artifacts back in the early ’70′s when self educating carving jade.
Many of the microscopic, loose grit tooling marks are remarkably similar between the two cultures.
Exciting to see.
Donn.
David.
Such fun to see the pictures of the festive opening with such beautiful objects and gifted artists.
The store is really a knock out. Though I was not able to make the big event, the many trips into the gallery during the week still didn’t give me the feeling that I had really explored everything.
It was lovely meeting each of the jade artists and feeling their passion for the work and seeing their individual visions and personalities arise from the stone.
Of coarse it was hard not to miss Georg and his amazing baby Dragon neck piece which seemed to be such a natural part of his person. Peter’s beautifully worked pieces surely reflect his gentle soul and Matt brings fresh contemporary and sensitive designs to life. Deborah’s bold use of complimentary mediums was inspiring as well as her willingness to share her talents. Donn’s sensuous yet precision pieces are truly masterful.
I came away with a whole new perspective on this most amazing and alluring of stones.
Makes you want to pick up some tools and carve!
Looking forward to next year.
Thanks for such a great show!
Diana
David, I watched as you spent the past several months preparing, planning, funding, and anticipating this year’s production of the Jade Art Now Exhibition. You worked endless hours, sometimes into exhaustion, to put on the best show possible for the benefit of the contemporary jade carvers the world over. Taking no fees or commission from the artists, you advertised in global publications for high exposure for this show, and it paid off for the artists. We saw in excess of 350 to 500 guests through the gallery on the Opening night on February 7th, and we fed them and watched them enjoy themselves throughout the evening, excitedly speaking with the artists whose gorgeous creations they could touch and feel and experience. You generously guided them on tours through the ages as you taught many how to look at jade structure and composition, also giving some of them a new view of archaic and ancient jade carvings from a multitude of world cultures from remote civilizations. Your love of jade art is more than evident, and is your enthusiasm for the ‘Stone of Heaven’ in all its forms. I stand in respect of your knowledge and expertise in this newly expanding field of investigation, as you develop and prove theories about the formation of jade in varying environments, the conditions under which the stone existed for millennia, and discover new and scientific information about the qualities of the stone in its various formulations. There are many misconceptions about jade, and you diligently go about elucidating the jade community in general, and the world at large, with new understandings and discoveries about this most enduring stone. The jade carvers who participated in the show benefited from having their beautiful creations seen and appreciated by many folks, and they will continue to see the benefits of this exposure in the future, and will, no doubt, be influenced by what they learned by being here in this learning environment. Smiles and laughter abounded throughout the evening. I thank you for your endless hours of study and dedication to this most ancient of natural creations, and for your dedication to the education of those folks who share a passion for this most special stone. We pulled it off again, and I stand as your willing assistant for the next Jade Art Now Exhibitions here at Antiquities, Plus… Congratulations on a job done exceedingly well!
Melissa
As one of the jade artists exhibiting in this year’s Jade Art Now show, I am more excited than ever about our unprecedented endeavor. For the first time a critical mass of contemporary jade carvers from North America, New Zealand, and Europe have come together to create a wider audience and appreciation for new work in this timeless medium. We owe Dave Fredericks a debt of gratitude for his unflagging support as our show has grown from strength to strength.
It’s always inspiring to meet with other jade carvers to exchange ideas, to examine both ancient and contemporary jades in one gallery, and to talk abrasives and crystal structure. Jade is one of the more challenging substances from which to create contemporary art, but as our small coterie welcomes more and more carvers we all benefit from the support, challenge, and stimulation of being part of Jade Art Now.
My husband and I truly enjoyed visiting Antiquities, Plus… Gallery. There are so many beautiful jade carvings from ancient to contemporary. I was so amazed by all of the carvings that were given a breath of life by their master carvers. I love all of the contemporary jade sculptors’ works from organic and abstract forms to realistic representation of figures and objects. I feel very fortunate to have David care for our jades. He has a wealth of knowledge and always shares them with people. I can’t wait for my next visit.
What more could one add to the comments already posted . . . perhaps that the gallery displayed the most stunning and dizzying collection of jade artifacts of all ages, antiques offering inspiration to the contemporary artists, the older generation inspiring the younger upcoming carvers . . . an amazing, electrifying synergy!!
And at the core of the success of this show is David’s selfless and total commitment to the most enduring and timeless, the Stone of Heaven. As one of the artist benefiting from his generosity, I want to offer, on behalf of all of the contemporary artists, our deepest gratitude.
Jade Art Now is like a Disneyland for those who are infected by the stone of heaven. David takes you on a trip through time as his encyclopedic knowledge rolls through ancient burial grounds, twists subtle abrasive techniques, and dodges sly deception in search of timeless treasure. Journey to a fantasy land of dragons, mythical faces, and biomorphism, or be seduced by soothing shell forms and warmed by children’s faces inspirited by the worlds leading persistent abraders. The ceremonial fellowship induces a state of bliss while the company makes you feel like royalty. So next year when faced with the decision between the Bahamas…were going to Jade Art Now:)