Selected Artist Statements
Note: I write new artist statements several times a year, as I am thinking, working and growing.

From the traveling exhibition series "Sanctuaries"

Art in its most successful execution evokes a deep reaction, perhaps emotional or cerebral.

This installation art, or perhaps the new term Immersion Art is better suited to describe this work, uses light, scale, textures, colors and in particular-smells-to tap into the viewers’ deeper senses.

A new visitor closes her eyes, pauses in her steps, and breathes deeply in-the aroma of good red clover hay, tobacco drying, and the distinct scent of bailing twine. A slow smile crosses her face before she opens her eyes, “Like Dorothy, I’m finally home!” she exclaims!

This piece is about memory.

A similar reaction occurs when the gallery viewer musters the courage to try out the red swing installed in the center of the space. Hesitant at first, like riding a bicycle the worn body remembers instinctively the motions of kicking out the feet to gain altitude and all the worries in the world fall away within the second pass. If one faces (swings) down the space, between the large scale paintings, a full sensation of being within the barn occurs.

The display is carefully organized from conservative traditional exhibition on one end of the hall including framed pastel drawings, monotypes, large scale paintings on canvas and large scale paintings on paper,  to evolving into organic immersion along side tobacco and hay bales that are the critical elements of these type barns on the other end of the hall, with the red swing as the transition back and forth.

 This piece is also about selective memory.

We romanticize the past, feel nostalgic about the back-breaking work and hardship endured, yet we rarely are able to appreciate this moment, right now, with the same attention.

There is a dichotomy in this exhibit, between the “Falling Down Barns” and the playful childhood memories that is intentional.

I have included a few older pieces, the torsos, that relate strongly from when I was living in New York City, cut off from the power I draw from my native Appalachia.

Please share the thoughts and memories that this exhibition brings to you in the book provided.

Catalog available.

From the Catalog "These Truths: the brutal tenderness of appalachia" 6/2009

Arte Povera could be applied to much of my current work, for I use rope, burdock and other discarded materials. But making art out of common materials comes naturally to me, perhaps from a tradition steeped in "making do" that is a way of life in Appalachia where both materials and means are scarce. "These Truths" that I embrace in my work cradle the vulnerable child that we all once were, and acknowledge the inevitable loss of innocence that occurs so naturally.

From Jan. 9 to Feb. 27, 2009, the exhibit at the Slemp Gallery at Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) in Big Stone Gap, Va., displayed 17 two-dimensional works. Also shown were actual farm hand tools and materials, such as tobacco knives and bailing twine, which have been influential in my artistic aesthetic. Titled "Sages and Sanctuaries," it included a number of large scale drawings of the weathered faces of people in my life, alongside the weathered textures of rural barns.

The Carroll Reece Museum on the campus of East Tennessee State University is hosting the second part of the exhibition from June 1 to Aug. 6, 2009, in which these same paintings and prints surround my three-dimensional works. Again, real objects from farm life on display in the gallery echo the ideas, as well as textures and colors, in my images.

The final exhibition will take place at The Arts Depot in Abingdon, Va. The Arts Depot's cavernous space allows me to create a full walk-through installation for the third and largest part of the exhibition from Aug. 13 to Sept. 26, 2009. There, slats of light mimic those seen from inside a barn. Actual tobacco and hay bales add unmistakable aromas to this site-specific work. Materials and textures begin to blur what is a finished work — and what is not.

My first experience creating art installations was in 1988. Because my ideas were beyond what a single object could convey, I needed to create a space in which sculpture as well as wall imagery could create a dialog. Then, starting in 1990 while in Manhattan, I created a series of installations incorporating sound tracks and kinetic sculptures. So with this background in constructing multimedia artwork within a particular space, and with deep appreciation to all those who have helped me, I offer this new body of work, this newest installation piece.

 

 

Artist Statement for  “Feminine Entwinement”, The People's Choice Award Winner, Art in Public Places 2008-9

This sculpture is made from part of a tugboat rope I collected while living in Manhattan, NY. The rope as a metaphor entered my work about 1987, when I was pondering the influence of Appalachia on my artistic aesthetic. It continues to convey much of what I think about; what is my “life-line”, what effect my “heritage binding” with this region has on me, what “ties me down” for better or worse, what keeps me together, and is it possible to always tell the difference? I look for ways to make sculpture more approachable. Using common materials in an uncommon way, and using a figurative reference help to accomplish that in this piece. I muse at the awesome strength of a tiny tug boat that keeps the great ships from running aground, as a reference to the tall strong confident feminine figure that has just tossed a scarf across her shoulders facing the wind.

Vita / Resume
Printable pdf version click here
Education

M.F.A., East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 2001, with Honors.
Electronic Thesis entitled “Figurative Sculpture in Paper Clay” was one of the first electronic Fine Arts Thesis on the web.

B.F.A., Ringling School of Art and Design, Sarasota, FL 1993.Concentrations in Sculpture and Printmaking, with Honors. "Binding and Compression" was the video-documented undergraduate thesis using ropes, large scale foam rubber, bronze, ceramics, and 2D art.
Certificate in the Fine Arts, Ringling School of Art and Design, 1989

Additional studies at Baruch College, Manhattan NY 1992-1993, and State Technical Institute at Knoxville, TN. Chemistry major 1980-1981 


Public Art Commissions
2009 "Innocence Remembered" is the Light of Hope sculpture commissioned by CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children.) The life-sized bronze and granite monument is designed and created by Val Lyle.  Unveiled November 6th, 2009 in downtown Knoxville, TN.

2009 "The Caterpillar Crawl" is 10 small bronze sculptures permanently installed in downtown Bristol Va/Tn that creates a scavenger hunt for children and families. Bases on the book "A Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle, the project was commissioned by The Junior League of Bristol VA/TN.

2009 The eight foot tall kevlar rope sculpture "Entwined Dancers" was permanently installed on Main Street in downtown Abingdon, VA following the Virginia Highlands Festival where it was the featured artwork appearing on posters and magazines.

Public Art Exhibits

2008 Art in Public Places Juried by Paul Ha, Director of the Contemporary Art Museum, St. Louis (the Contemporary)."Feminine Entwinement", the eight foot tall figurative sculpture made of tug boat rope, is selected as The People's Choice.

Selected Solo Exhibitions

"Sanctuaries", Immersion/Installation Exhibition. Appalshop, Whitesburg KY, 10-11/ 2009

"Sanctuaries III", Immersion/Installation Exhibition. Arts Depot, Abingdon VA 8-9/2009

"Sanctuaries II", Installation. Carroll Reece Museum, Johnson City Tn 6-7-8/2009

"Sages and Sanctuaries", Slemp Gallery at MECC, Big Stone Gap VA 1-2/2009

“From the Farm”, recent paintings and prints, Virginia Highlands Community College 2007

“The Art of the Line” drawings, Northeast State Community College 2006

“Solo Opening of The Figurative Gallery of Contemporary Art”, 2004 La Quinta, CA 2004

“Retrospective” Johnson City Arts Council, TN 2002

“A Difference of Opinion” Master of Fine Arts Exhibition, Carroll Reece Museum, ETSU 2001

“Works In Progress” Virginia Intermont College, Bristol, VA

“Storefront Windows Installations” Somewhere Else Restaurant, State Street, Bristol, TN 1997

"Paintings from the Homestead" Caliban's Restaurant, 360 Third Ave., New York, NY

"From the Bar" Solo Print and Drawing Exhibition 360 Third Ave., New York, NY 1995

“Assembly Required III” Zazoo Club, New York, NY 1992

“Snare & Pop” Solo exhibition, Ise Cultural Foundation in cooperation with 555 Broadway, New York, NY 1992

"Binding and Compression" Sarasota, FL 1989

“Genesis” North Gallery, Ringling School of Art, Sarasota, FL 1988

 

 

 

 

 

Selected Juried Exhibitions 

"Realists", curated by Kevin Dean, Selby Gallery, Sarasota FL 2010. Catalog with essay.

"Mid South Sculptors Exhibition", juried by Carol Mickett and Robert Stackhouse, 2009.
Tea Time for Darfur given top award for indoor sculpture. Catalog.

“Female(s) Form(s)” curated by Adam Justice, William King Museum, Abingdon, VA 2008-2009. Catalog with essay.

"Art in Public Places" juried by Paul Ha, The Contemporary Museum of Art in St. Louis, MO 2008-2009. Catalog.

“Positive-Negative 23”, juried by Antoine Guerrero, Director of PS-1, NY. Slocumb Galleries, ETSU 2008

Tri-State Sculptors Exhibition, Carroll Reece Museum, Johnson City TN 2008

“Adjuncstaposition”, Slocumb Galleries, Johnson City, TN 2007

“The Sesqui Seven: E&H Celebrates the Bristol Sesquicentennial”, juried by Mary Haviland, Emory & Henry College, The 1912 Gallery, Emory VA 2006

“3 Wavelengths of Color”, Nelson Fine Art Center, Johnson City, TN 2006

“Who We Are: The Figure in the 21^st Century” juried by Connie Bostic at The Upstairs Gallery, Tryon, NC 2005

 

 

 

 

“Art and Spirituality”, Starving Artist and 153 West Booksellers, Abingdon, VA 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 “Appalachian Corridors” juried by Eleanor Heartney, Inaugural Exhibition of the Sunrise Museum in Charleston, WV 2003

“3.10 Exhibition”, juried by Peter Suschin, England in Johnson City, TN 2002

“The Bank Show”, juried by Hodges Taylor Gallery from Charlotte, NC Johnson City, TN 2001

National Conference on Education in the Ceramic Arts (NCECA), “Juried Regional Show” Rock Hill Arts Council, SC 2001

“Works In Progress” Virginia Intermont College, Bristol, VA, 1998

“Storefront Windows Installations” Somewhere Else Restaurant, State Street, Bristol, TN 1997

"Exposure and Vulnerability" National Outdoor Sculpture Juried Exhibition by the New York State Parks Commission and the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition, Empire Fulton Ferry State Park, NY 1993, 1994, 1995

“Underground” Two-Artist exhibition, Fourth Street, New York, NY 1993
 
“Snare & Pop”, Ise Cultural Foundation in cooperation with 555 Broadway, New York, NY 1992

“Assembly Required III” Zazoo Club, New York, NY 1992

A.I.R. Open Group Exhibition Soho, New York, NY 1992

Showcase, Two Artist Exhibition by the America-Japan Art Association, Ise Cultural Foundation, and the Soho Art House, 555 Broadway, New York, NY 1991

"Group of Five" New works exhibition, Cork Gallery at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 1991

“Assembly Required II” Kampo Cultural Center, Juried exhibition of five artists, Soho, New York, NY 1991

"Assembly Required" Installation, Broome Street Gallery, New York, NY 1991

"Nude Show" Invitational group exhibition, SixToSix Gallery New York, NY 1990

"Binding and Compression" Sarasota, FL 1989

"Emerging Artists" Juried group exhibition, Voorhees Gallery, Sarasota, FL 1988

Longboat Key Art Association Juried sculpture exhibition, Sarasota, FL 1988

"Best of Ringling" Juried by Dr. Diane Lesko, Curator of Collections, Museum of Fine Art, St. Petersburg, FL 1988

Visiting Artist and Guest Lecturer

"Ceramic Paper Clay Techniques" The University of Wisconsin, Madison 2007

Guest Artist for Senior Fine Arts Student Retreat, Ringling School of Art and Design, Sarasota FL 1995

 

 

 

 

 Studied with these Master Figurative Sculptors

Richard Notkin 2007, Stephen De Staebler; 2004, Sergi Isupov 2002, Patti Warishina 2002, Doug Jeck 2002, Paula Rice 2000, San Francisco Sculpture Conference 1995, International Sculpture Conference, 1995, Chesterwood sculptors workshop 1994 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Selected Bibliography 

“These Truths: the brutal tenderness of appalachia" Catalog of Val Lyle's exhibition series Sanctuaries, partially funded by The Tennessee Arts Commission.
Introduction by Derek Guthrie, 2009
Essay by Venus Zarris, 2009
Essay by Kathleen Grover, 2009

"Female(s) Form(s) Catalog essay by Adam Justice, William King Museum 2008

“The Potter’s Shed” on line ceramics magazine, January 2008

 

“World Dictionary of Ceramic Art and Artists” by Steven Goldate, Melbourne, Australia, published by A&C Black, Great Britain 2007

 
                        “Art in America Guide to Participating Galleries and Artists” 2006, 2005, 2004

         “Who’s Who in America”, Marquis Publication 2006, 2007, 2008

 

“Highlander Magazine”, July/August 2006, Photos and reviews of The Bristol Sesqui Seven Exhibition at Emory & Henry College.
Ceramics Today “Website of the Week” February 11^th, 2005 (ceramicstoday.com)

“Desert Art Scene” Western US Art journal, article 2005

Electronic Thesis presented at The International Conference of Graduate School Deans as an exemplary example of use of new technologies, 2001, 2002, 2003

Feature Television segment, Mark Hilton TV 5, The Future of technologies and art education, 2001


Publications

Review of Susanne Stryk exhibition, 2009

CAA book review, 2009

“SOFA / Chicago 2008 - Streams of Artistic Consciousness” 2008

"Art Basel Miami Beach”, electronic article in “A” Magazine for the Arts 2007

"Figurative Sculpture in Paper Clay", an ebook in PDF format located at  Figurative Sculpture in Paper Clay

“Printed Matter” artists book  at DIA in NYC


Distinctions

Tennessee Arts Commission Grant to publish Catalog of Sanctuaries Exhibitions, 2009.

Top Award for "Tea Time for Darfur", indoor sculpture, Mid South Sculptors Exhibition 2009.

"People’s Choice Award” for the outdoor sculpture competition “AiPP Art in Public Places”, Bristol, TN 2008-2009, Juried by Paul Ha

Chosen to represent the City of Bristol in the Bristol Sesquicentennial Exhibition at The 1912 Gallery at Emory & Henry College

Gold Addy of Excellence for “The Mockingbird”, an award winning student arts and literary magazine produced at East Tennessee State University. 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

Full Scholarship as studio assistant in Ceramics at Penland School of Crafts, Fall 2006

Who’s Who in America,  2006, 2007, 2008

Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society 2000

New York “Artist’s Space” Grant 1991

Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges 1989, 1987

The Binney & Smith Outstanding Fine Arts Student Scholarship, 1988

Richard and Virgina Crossley Scholarship 1988

Ethel and Stanley Glen Scholarship 1987

National Society of Arts & Letters, Honolulu, HI, Careers in Art Awards 1984

Conferences / Symposia

Mid South Sculptors, 2009

Tri States Sculptors, 2008

Sculptural Objects and Functional Art SOFA, Chicago, 2008 and 2004

Art Basel Miami Beach, 2006

National Council on Education in the Ceramic Arts NCECA, 2007, 2005, 2003, 2001

College Art Association CAA 2004

 

 

 

 

Professional Affiliations

Mid South Sculptors, Tri-States Sculptors Society, NCECA National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, American Potters Council, ACC American Craft Council, CAA College Art Association, SECAC Southeastern College Art Conference, TACA Tennessee Association of Craft Artists, NCFAS North Carolina Folk Art Society President 2006, Vice Pres. 2005, Board Member 2007-2004, Charter Member, Women’s Museum of Art, Washington, DC

Professional Service

Committee Member, "A!" Magazine for the Arts publication, 2008- present

Board Member, Arts Advisory Board to William King Regional Arts Museum 2007- present

Board Member, Community Advisory Board to Virginia Highlands Community College 2007- present

President, North Carolina Folk Art Society 2006, Vice president, North Carolina Folk Art Society 2005, Board member, North Carolina Folk Art Society, 2004

Created a public outdoor sculpture project on the grounds of William King Regional Art Museum in conjunction with The Virginia Highlands Festival, fall 2004

Began Outdoor Sculpture Garden at VHCC Virginia Highlands Community College, spring 2004

Time Arts Committee, Knoxville Museum of Art, 1999-2001