Porcelain, Sculpture And Oils

At Fenn Gallery

WOODBURY — “Pattern Play,” on exhibit at Fenn Gallery through May 13, features porcelain sculpture by Diana Chamberlain and oil paintings by Anne Hebebrand.

Ms Chamberlain’s clear-glazed porcelain sculptures relate to either clothing or architecture, both of which are variations on shapes that enclose and protect the body. Porcelain can mimic the softness of fabric as well as the hardness of building material.

Among the dress forms on display is the shift, from which all dresses derive. It is the garment of christenings, confirmations, of young girls, wedding and more.

Houses denote stability. When war or a natural disaster destroys buildings, more than structures fall. Ms Chamberlain’s broken house series depicts buildings that have been breached by calamity, as well as the makeshift “homes” constructed to replace them.

Ms Hebebrand’s work features softly modulated abstract compositions, which at times may include a land/seascape reference. Her observations of subtle light and color changes find their way into her paintings in unplanned ways, and go beyond capturing the beauty in the everyday to search for something more ineffable.

Blue predominates in her recent work. For Jung, blue symbolized tranquility; for Goethe, deep understanding; and in various religious traditions, eternity.

To achieve her richly textured surfaces, Ms Hebebrand begins with canvas or gessoed paper — sometimes toned with graphite powder — and then she paints, scrapes, overlays, and reapplies color, often employing tools from the hardware store.

Fenn Gallery is at 345 Main Street South. Hours are Thursday to Sunday, noon to 5 pm. For more information, call 263-3449 or visit FennGallery.com.