What is a Gourd anyway?!!
A gourd is a plant of the family Cucurbitaceae, particularly Cucurbita and Lagenaria or the fruit of the two genera of Bignoniaceae "calabash tree", Crescentia and Amphitecna.
The term refers to a number of species and subspecies, many with hard shells, and some without. Likely one of the earliest domesticated types of plants, subspecies of the bottle gourd, Lagenaria siceraria, have been discovered in archaeological sites dating from as early as 13,000 BC. Gourds have had numerous uses throughout history, including as tools, musical instruments, objects of art, film, and food.
When you visit this exhibit being held now at Kerrville Arts/Crafts Center you
would never think that someone could take a simple plant and
create such marvelous art pieces! But, here you have a super
great exhibit of creativity!
"Tres Amigos" by Judy Richie
"Mountain and Mesa" by Becky Klix
"Butterfly Cannon Ball"
Artist Bill Decker
"Patina Pachyderm" by Mike Peyton
"Geometric Goose (Lift Off)"
Mike Peyton
Just think of the hours and hours of work on
just this one piece
There are several tables of small pieces--
All gourds don't forget!!
I like that there are a couple that feature
weaving techniques
This is "Hanging Out" by C. C. Rice
"Inspired by Mata Ortiz Pottery"
Yoshie Green
"Red Sunset" by Joanne Tompkins
Dyed, manipulated fabric, coiling and beads!!
This takes your breath away!!
"The War Bonnet"
Becky Klix
Thirty individual feathers carved from gourd
and painted with acrylic dye. constructed using
traditional methods and decorated with horse hair,
beads and animal pelt--just absolutely smashing
piece of art!
These are just a small representative of the
work--a must see exhibit in my books!
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