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Sculpture by Heather Carter

Artist's Statement

Within the ribcage form there are a rich collection of metaphors, not only in its ephemeral structure and its breath, but its sacredness as a vessel. The ribcage, as a functional anatomical structure, guards its vital contents, protecting, yet lithe and yielding. I find the structure of wooden ships innately similar to our own inner vessel. It is this metaphor that continues to inform and inspire my work. As my work appears on the wall across from the viewer it creates a sense of common breath, and the shadows behind: a common language. It is seeing all the way through someone to the delicate and telling structure inside.

In this series, Nurture explores motherhood; the embracing framework provides a sacred space for the nurtured to grow within. This piece allowed me to explore the awesome joys and hardships of being a mother; providing both protection and sustenance to a baby, and constantly giving of myself, pouring out into another.

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Artist's Biography

Heather Carter lives and works in Wimberley, Texas, a small town outside of Austin. With a BFA in Sculpture from Southwestern University, she began her career in art as a designer and was quickly invited to exhibit her work, give workshops, and create commissions for public as well as private spaces. Her work has been featured in Celebrate Austin magazine as well as Texas Monthly magazine. Heather's sculpture has been shown in several exhibits through AVAA (Austin Visual Arts Association) and Laughing at the Sun Gallery, as well as in a Solo Exhibit in Wimberley at Medore Von Koffler Gallery. Her main body of work consists of bent wood pieces resembling ribcages as well as boat ribs and even the framework of buildings. Heather has just completed the design for her latest commission, a large wall piece to be installed in 2006 for Spicewood Springs Public Library in Austin, Texas.

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Resumé

EXHIBITS:
2005 The Shape of Things, Gallery on The Square in Wimberley Texas. A juried exhibit from September 12 to October 19
2005 Vin Gallery, Austin, TX Selected artist to be represented by Vin Gallery, February 5, 2005
2004 Southwestern University Alumni Exhibit, Georgetown, Texas; Juried show consisting of Alumni from the Arts program at Southwestern University, October through November 2004
1997-01 Buyers Market of American Craft, Philadelphia, PA; In February and July of each year exhibited handmade books and paper collage
1997 AVAA: Autumn, ACA Gallery Artplex, Austin, Texas; Juried exhibit September 20 to October 12, 1997
1997 Daryl Colburn and Guest Artists, Laughing at the Sun Gallery, Austin Texas; A non-ferrous Metal Show featuring new work by Daryl Colburn as well as metal work done by his students, May 22 through June 26, 1997
1997 NXT Fine Art Show, Medore Von Koffler Gallery in Wimberley, Texas; Nationally juried show for 50 fine artists. May 10 and 11, 1997
1997 Solo Exhibit, Medore Von Koffler Gallery in Wimberley, Texas; An Invitational exhibit on the grounds of the gallery, May 1, 1997 to July of 1998
1997 SXSW Music Show, Laughing at the Sun Gallery, Austin, Texas; A juried exhibition for artists who produce work about or inspired by music February 28 through April 5, 1997
1994-95 The Austin Museum of Art, Laguna Gloria, Austin, Texas; A juried exhibition for students and professors of central Texas Universities
1994 Solo Exhibit, Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas; April 20 through 30 1994, show consisted of five large outdoor pieces about the passage of the soul through life and after death, and the vessels that carry those souls
1994 In Response to Nature II, Laguna Gloria Art Museum in Austin, Texas; Regional juried exhibition, November 15, 1994 through January 18, 1995
1993 In Response to Nature, Laguna Gloria Art Museum in Austin, Texas; Regional juried exhibition, November 14, 1993 through January 24 1994
1991-94 Student Exhibits, Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas; Four shows, juried and selected by Southwestern Art Faculty for Spring Exhibits April through May

PUBLIC COMMISSIONS:
2003 Art In Public Places Contract, Spicewood Springs Library, Austin, TX; Large sculptural mural out of pine and fir to embellish one long wall of the reading room, 8'x 60'x 4' (ongoing work in progress)
2002 Angels Body, a bent wood sculpture out of pine and fir, 4'x 2'x 18", commissioned by Cecelia Feazell for the Pilates Center of Austin, in Austin, TX
1 Untitled, handmade paper collage 24" by 36" commissioned for Baylor College of Medicine, Women's Health Research Clinic, Houston, TX
2001 Untitled Pair, handmade paper collage, 48" by 30" commissioned for Baylor College of Medicine, Women's Health Research Clinic, Houston, TX
2001 Untitled Pair, handmade paper collage, 52" by 38" commissioned for Baylor College of Medicine, Women's Health Research Clinic, Houston, TX

PRIVATE COMMISSIONS AND COLLECTIONS:
2004 Shelter, 4' x 3'x 1', Commissioned by Robert Jackson of Jackson and McElhaney Architects, Austin, TX
2000 Quilt, 4' x 6', paper collage, in the collection of Don Carter, Houston, TX
1999 Untitled, 20" x 40", handmade paper tiles, commissioned by and in the collection of Louise Nicholson, Houston, TX
1999 Untitled Pair, 48" x 28", handmade paper tiles, commissioned by and in the collection of Louise Nicholson, Houston, TX
1997 Determination, 4'x2'x10", bent wood sculpture in pine, in the collection of , Austin, TX
1997 Assurance, 3.5'x 2'x 18", bent wood sculpture in pine, in the collection of Eric Lewy, Los Angeles, CA
1997 Charon, 6'x8'x6', outdoor wood sculpture, in the collection of Marc Gitterle, Wimberley, TX
1997 Dream Stick, 18"x10"x6", hammered copper, in the collection of Marc Gitterle, Wimberley, TX
1997 Rhythm, 24"x10"x6", ceramic sculpture, in the collection of Derek Casarez, Houston, TX
1996 Kay's Silver Scooter, 6.5'x3.5', charcoal on paper, commissioned by and in the collection of Kay Elmore, Austin, TX
1995 Spolia, 9'x8'x3', outdoor sculpture in pine, in the collection of Louise Nicholson, Houston, TX
1994 Untitled Pair, 10'x5'x4', outdoor sculpture in cedar, in the collection of Delryn Fleming, San Angelo, TX
1993 Altered Foam, 16"x8"x6", cast aluminum, in the collection of Don Carter, Houston, TX
1993 Introspection, 24"x20"x 12", carved bass wood, in the collection of Lizy Wildsmith, Austin, TX

EXPERIENCE:
2002 - present Sculptor, Wimberley, TX
1997-2001 Designer/Artist/Owner of Heather Carter Studio, Wimberley, TX
· Designed and fabricated hand bound books and textile art
· Established successful relationships with over 250 galleries all over the nation
· Exhibited 7 times at the Buyers Market of American Craft in Philadelphia, PA
· Maintained a successful business and employed 3 artists for 4 years and sold the business in 2001
1994-1997 Designer at Windsport Inc., Austin TX
· Designed and constructed prototypes of windsocks and flags
· Worked with engineers to manufacture prototypes efficiently
· Designed and built trade show booth for the 1996 spring and fall seasons
· Created technical drawings for design and instructions of metal hardware
1991-1994 Designer and Production Manager with McCandless Design, Austin, TX
1991-1997 Independent Product Designer
· Designed and crafted silver jewelry, handmade paper, and hand bound books, lamps, furniture and gift boxes
· Initiated sales through Austin galleries, gift shows and individual commissions
· Exhibited for four years at Artisans art Gallery and Mara, Austin, TX
1987-1989 Interior Design Assistant at Watkins Carter Hamilton, Houston, TX
· Created presentation boards for clients
· Compiled working samples of textiles for Interior Design department
· Drafted furniture into working drawings of hospitals
· Assisted in the production of 3-D models for client presentations

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
2000 Heather Carter Studio: Bookbinding Workshop; Taught students how to create their own books using found objects and hand made papers
1998 Laguna Gloria Art School; Taught students 4 to 6 years old how to create puppets and patterns and taught students 7 to 8 years old Drawing 1
1997 Laughing at the Sun Gallery: Paper-Making Workshop, June July and August; Taught how to make hand made paper using all recycled materials, leaves and flowers

ARTICLES/REVIEWS:
2005 "The Art of Family: Heather Carter discusses Life and Art" by Kristin Card, Southwestern Quarterly, Volume 16 Number 2.
2000 "50 Gifts Yule Love" by Suzie Banks, Texas Monthly, December 2000
1998 "Artist Captures Vessel of the Soul" by Marla Brose, Celebrate Austin Magazine, January 1998.

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Contact Artist

Also, please visit Heather's Web site: www.heathercarter.info

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