It has always been a pleasure to visit Gallery WDO as much to spend time with owner Rob Williams as to look at the objects on exhibit.
WDO stands for Well Designed Object, and the name hints as much at Rob’s quick-witted humor as it reveals his commitment to exhibiting exquisite contemporary crafts from around the world. Well, after waiting for months to reopen (I won’t go into the construction delay details; I’ll let Rob weave that story for you when you visit), WDO is finally open for visitors at its new location in the Hearst Plaza.
The Hearst Plaza, dotted with several shops and restaurants, is the open space that leads to the Hearst Tower (which, incidentally, has an impressive installation of landscape paintings from Bank of America’s collection in their gallery just off the main foyer). Though the Plaza is not yet complete, I can’t help but wonder why they placed a huge, Mannerist/Baroque-like seating area at its entrance on North Tryon Street. The placement of this custom-designed, polished stone object creates a barrier rather than a welcome embrace to a public space. It’s as if it stands guard of the building. Perhaps it’s meant to be a post-9/11 type barricade or security measure, but it does little for this outdoor urban space.
Fortunately, the striking objects within Gallery WDO make up for any disappointments in the Plaza. Step inside and you’ll find objects crafted of glass, metal, clay, wood and fiber, as well as leather, plastics and concrete. WDO showcases and celebrates the work of contemporary craft artists, and Williams carefully selects all of the objects in the gallery. His discriminating eye, coupled with his passion for art, results in a stunning array of objects for us to consider and enjoy.
The gallery features work from the estate of the late Byron Temple through the end of the month. Asheville artist Hoss Haley’s metal/concrete constructions are also presented in this opening show. In addition, there’s a variety of work for sale by other artists that the gallery represents.
Byron Temple was a master potter who died this past April. He apprenticed with the legendary English potter and philosopher Bernard Leach, whose work and writings have influenced generations of potters. Temple also became leader in the field of pottery, teaching and influencing countless numbers of students at Haystack, Penland, Pratt Institute and the Philadelphia College of Art.
There are over 30 examples of Temple’s work on display, including several pieces from his private collection. The work is deceptively simple and spare in design. However, a more thorough look reveals the skillful performance of a master potter. Carefully carved-out bases, deliberately applied glazes, rich textures and minimal design characterize each object. Each piece exudes a quiet strength and a pleasing balance of yin-yang — quite fitting for an artist who described his aesthetic as a combination of Bauhaus and Japan.
The pieces that stand out in my mind are the lidded jars, especially those tied with silk cord. Each of the jars, which vary in shape and size, is topped with a fitted lid. The lid is held in place by silk cords that wrap around the jar and tie at the top. These jars, closed and tied by the artist, are sheathed in the residue of the artist’s hand, his energy, his intention. The metaphysical tension is palpable. The silk cord cannot be untied, the jar cannot be opened, without destroying the origin of the object, without erasing the artist’s touch.
Temple’s work combines tradition with a modern aesthetic. The work is worth seeing if only because it shows us something we don’t often see in our techno-crazed, machine-made world: the individual mark of a human hand. And despite our increasing reliance on the computer’s ability to replicate and churn out mass-produced objects, this exhibit reminds us of the wonder of making things one at a time. Most of all, it reminds us of the importance of the well-designed object.
Make a point to visit WDO. Not only is it a great place to see contemporary crafts, but with the holiday season approaching, it’s also the perfect place to find special gifts for discriminating friends and family.
This article appears in Nov 20-26, 2002.
