By Averia Wright

Published On:Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Doongalik Studios Art Gallery on Village Road will showcase the collaborative works of ceramicist Averia Wright and painter Toby Lunn for this year's Transforming Spaces Art Tour. These two young Bahamian artists have found a common thread in colour, line, space and form to make bold statements using different mediums in an exciting presentation. They both use organic free forms and earth tones to make very personal statements. New abstract expressions of art to inspire and heal the viewer rise up from the tangible fierce heat of the furnace that fires the clay and the metaphorical fire of metamorphosis that gives feeling to the paint.

*Averia Wright, in her first Exhibition in The Bahamas as a fine arts graduate, said : "The stories of mythologies, mysteries and the mystical expressions of life take me deep into my roots - my place of inspiration - to create exotic life forms and elements of the deep turquoise seas. My medium of choice is clay. Working with my hands to create something from the earth is a primitive necessity. Manipulating slabs and coils of clay to make a three dimensional object from an image in my mind, or from doodles or sketches is truly a passion. Adding metal to my creations is a challenge as metal's tensile strength allows the mechanisation of my ceramic sculptures to work. Whereas clay will bend with the possibility of melting and breaking, metal on the other hand bends readily. Working with metal, although tedious, is something I hope to continue to do. Exploring how far I can work with these materials inspires me to continue on this journey."

Averia studied Fine Art with a concentration in Ceramics at the University of Tampa where she transferred from the College of The Bahamas. She was first introduced to ceramics at COB under the tutelage of Joann Behagg and was inspired to further her studies in this discipline with renowned Bahamian art educator, Kendra Frorup.

*Toby Lunn, no stranger to the Exhibition circuit, has entered a new phase in his work and said: "Taking Flight is a metaphor describing a recent transformation, not only in my personal life but also in my newest body of work. I am using the myth of the phoenix bird that rises from the ashes, using adversity and experiences as tools of expression. I am taking the symbol of birds in flight and allowing my painted expressions to soar at their own altitude. The lotus flower has also become important in my recent work. All of the symbols I use are references to healing - internal and external - not just for me, but for the viewer as well."

Toby received a BFA Degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art and has held numerous exhibitions at Popop Studios, Doongalik Studios, Van Brugel's Restaurant, as well as abroad at the Diaspora Vibe Gallery, Miami Florida. He has also provided private art classes to interested members of the public.

Both artists are sales representatives at the Doongalik Studios Art Gallery at Marina Village Paradise Island. They soon realised the symbiosis in the quality of their work and felt that Transforming Spaces was the perfect opportunity to showcase this multi media experience.

Jackson Burnside, owner of the gallery said, "We are proud and privileged to present the work of these two extremely talented artists who are making significant contributions to the development of art in The Bahamas and by extension, the world. The treasury of our country lies in these innovations - in the infinite possibilities being constantly investigated and improved upon by Bahamian artists. This exhibition is truly a milestone in contemporary art history."