Chrysalis Bowl
Dublin Core
Title
Chrysalis Bowl
Creator
Holzapfel, Michelle, 1951-
Identifier
MH_186
Date
1998
Description
Carved triple cherry burl, an unusual growth. Rather than carved three separate vessels from such a growth I’ve used the wood ‘as it grows.’ This piece is the outgrowth of that consciously collaborative approach.
The bowls were hollowed out in successive steps: first roughly with an electric chain saw, then increasingly carefully with pneumatic grinders and sanders. The interior was stippled with a small grinder, like a dentist’s drill, then burned with a propane torch to ‘ebonize.’ The exterior was sanded to burnish and highlight the cherry burl grain patterns.
A separate hanger included, for wall display. Watco and Minwax oil finishes.
The bowls were hollowed out in successive steps: first roughly with an electric chain saw, then increasingly carefully with pneumatic grinders and sanders. The interior was stippled with a small grinder, like a dentist’s drill, then burned with a propane torch to ‘ebonize.’ The exterior was sanded to burnish and highlight the cherry burl grain patterns.
A separate hanger included, for wall display. Watco and Minwax oil finishes.
The Chrysalis Bowl occupies an important place in the development of my work, in that it enhanced my confidence in heeding the narrative inherent in the wood.
The title was prophetic--from this bowl many other forms have hatched.
Working in a way that is most enjoyable--like a good conversation--I felt free to improvise the flow of lines in the three sibling bowls. The interior texturing suits the flow of grain and the natural voids of bark seams and clefts. Even the small choices-- the pattern of stippling, the final ‘curl’ at one end-- strive to harmonize the details with the overall form, echoing the material’s swelling curves and dynamic swirls.
The title was prophetic--from this bowl many other forms have hatched.
Working in a way that is most enjoyable--like a good conversation--I felt free to improvise the flow of lines in the three sibling bowls. The interior texturing suits the flow of grain and the natural voids of bark seams and clefts. Even the small choices-- the pattern of stippling, the final ‘curl’ at one end-- strive to harmonize the details with the overall form, echoing the material’s swelling curves and dynamic swirls.
This piece also satisfies a pressing need to depart from forms with one fixed view. The viewer may interact with the piece, arranging it to suit the moment or occasion: face-up or down on a horizontal surface, face-in or out when hung vertically.
I anticipate that this piece, although ‘decorative,’ could be used to display fruit at a special celebration or sought as an object of contemplation and tactile delight. The stippled surface also invites utility: no need to worry about marring a highly polished surface.
I anticipate that this piece, although ‘decorative,’ could be used to display fruit at a special celebration or sought as an object of contemplation and tactile delight. The stippled surface also invites utility: no need to worry about marring a highly polished surface.
Format
Cherry burl, 7 x 7 x 33 inches
Subject
Wood sculpture, American
Women and the decorative arts
Carving (Decorative arts)
Women artists--United States
Art woodwork
Decoration and ornament--Animal forms
Bowls (Tableware)
Rights
Holzapfel, Michelle, 1951-
Type
Studio Wood Art
Date Copyrighted
1998
Access Rights
Copyright © 2019 by Michelle Holzapfel
All rights reserved. No part of this archive may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, downloading, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. Please contact Michelle Holzapfel at mholzapfel1979@gmail.com for permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this archive may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, downloading, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. Please contact Michelle Holzapfel at mholzapfel1979@gmail.com for permission.
Is Part Of
Collection of Carleton College Library, Northfield, MN
Is Referenced By
The Catalogue for “Conversations with Wood: the Collection of Ruth and David Waterbury” by Minneapolis Institute of Arts. LCControl #: 2011926098 ISBN: 978-0-9800484-6-9
catalogue # 154.
catalogue # 154.
2005 Carleton College Calendar, July.
Medium
Wood
Provenance
1998 Solo Show, Connell Gallery, Atlanta, GA.
Sold to Ruth & David Waterbury.
2004 donated to Carleton College Library, Northfield, MN
2011 Exhibition: “Conversations with Wood: Selections from the Waterbury Collection” at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts
2013 Exhibition: “Conversations with Wood: Selections from the Waterbury Collection” at the Yale University Art Gallery
Sold to Ruth & David Waterbury.
2004 donated to Carleton College Library, Northfield, MN
2011 Exhibition: “Conversations with Wood: Selections from the Waterbury Collection” at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts
2013 Exhibition: “Conversations with Wood: Selections from the Waterbury Collection” at the Yale University Art Gallery
Rights Holder
Holzapfel, Michelle, 1951-
1998 Collection of Ruth and David Waterbury
2004 Carleton College Library, Northfield, MN
1998 Collection of Ruth and David Waterbury
2004 Carleton College Library, Northfield, MN
Files
Collection
Citation
Holzapfel, Michelle, 1951-, “Chrysalis Bowl,” Michelle Holzapfel Archive, accessed May 17, 2024, https://michelleholzapfel.omeka.net/items/show/205.