FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: May 23, 2008
LOCATION: Mountain Shadow Gallery
520-577-6301
SPECIAL EVENT FEATURING KARL W. HOFFMAN & BERNARD KELLY
Tucson, AZ— A special event featuring jewellery and photography by Karl W. Hoffman and Bernard Kelly. The show is a collaborative effort by two artists who started their careers as teacher and student almost 40 years ago. Their unique experiences have come full circle to create jewellery more philosophically inspired and unbound by social rules. There will be a reception for the artists on Thursday, June 12, 2008 from 5pm to 7pm. The show will run through June.
Karl W. Hoffman“Emotional Explosion”
Photograph
36” x 24”
|
Karl W. Hoffman
“Pathway to Abstract”
Photograph
36” x 24”
|
|
Karl W. Hoffman
Sterling Silver, 14kt Gold, Hematite Necklace
|
Karl W. Hoffman
“Isolating Turmoil”
Black Matt Onyx, Tahitian Pearls, Quartz Center stone w/
Black Tourmaline Crystals
Necklace
|
Karl W. Hoffman
Sterling Silver/Garnet in 14kt Gold Setting/Briggs Canyon Jasper
Cuff Bracelet
|
|
KARL W. HOFFMAN
Karl W. Hoffman was born in Frankfort, Germany, and raised on Cape Cod, with a longing to go west. After breaking his neck horseback riding, Karl had to give up a job on the ski patrol and a promising career in professional skiing. While recuperating, Karl took up silversmithing, under the direction of Bernard Kelly and found the soul of an artist within himself. Happiness is a journey not a destination, sometimes you have to change in order to follow new paths. Karl later moved to New York City to complete a three year jewelry apprenticeship with Kurt Wayne (who’s client list included Elizabeth Taylor, Van Cleef & Arpels, Neiman Marcus and Tiffany & Company.) In the late 70’s Karl left the New York art scene and moved to Vail, Colorado in pursuit of his dream to go West. Karl raised his family on their ranch west of Steamboat Springs, Colorado and now resides in Arivaca, Arizona were he shares a new studio with his artist wife Audrey R. Hoffman. “It works well but we do have separate offices”.
Karl W. Hoffman is a nationally recognized artist and creator of fine art jewelry and precious metal sculpture. He has shown his art work in some of the most prestigious galleries from New York City to California and throughout the North and Southwest for the past 35 years. Karl’s work has also been seen in leading magazines such as Southwest Art and Cowboys and Indians.
Karl has taken another new path in photography, inspired by one of his old friends in New York (International Photographer and Author John Chang McCurdy). He began several years ago by photographing his own jewelry. With 35 years of design experience looking through the camera lens was a natural progression. A self taught professional photographer, Karl has freelanced in photo journalism with his photos picked up by a national wire service. Karl has also done graphic design and commercial photography, crime scene photography, special assignment aerial intelligence photography for the military and documentary work for a museum.
His photography has also appeared in numerous media publications such as U.S. News and World Report and the NY Independent. Karl has recently finished a two-year documentary recording life on the American/Mexican border. This project has been nominated for one international award and one national award in photojournalism.
He finds that photography has put more feeling into his jewelry and on nice days he gets out of the studio and enjoys the area. “It’s a great way to make the most out of the trips around the country and to the galleries” says Karl. “My work is black and white digital with emphasis on meaningful translations of horses (many of my photographs are actually taken from horse back), landscape, industrial structure and the street. I also enjoy people.” Karl is one of the top 5% of photographers chosen by Photographers Forum Magazine (2005 & 2006) from over 21,000 entries worldwide to be included in a coffee table book.
“I have experienced many wonderful hours through this lifetime in observance and contemplation of the human race in regards to our very existence and the destiny of our soul. The task of translating this into simple art forms, so others may feel without the pain is my gift back to humanity.”
|
|
Bernard Kelly
18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Moonstone, Black Onyx & Black Jade
Necklace
|
Bernard Kelly
14kt Gold, Turquoise, Sterling Silver, Freshwater Pearls, Moss Agate
Rings, Earrings, and Pendant
|
Bernard Kelly
Sterling Silver, 18k Gold,
Red Coral, Black Jade
Necklace
|
|
BERNARD KELLY
Bernard Kelly’s work as an artist in gold and silver spans four decades, beginning in 1960 in New York City where he studied under Ada Husted Anderson at the Craft Students League. He honed his technical and model-making skills on 47th Street in the Jewelry and Diamond District working for Vidabour Casting.
In 1962 he opened his first retail shop and studio on Sullivan Street in Greenwich Village amid the social and artistic upheaval and excitement of the 1960’s.
Two years later, Bernard left NYC and settled in the quiet, beautiful community of Cotuit, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. During the next 30 years, Bernard established an enduring reputation as a fine artist, with his work showcased in the area’s premier galleries. Bernard managed his own retail shops and design studio, and directed an apprenticeship program for many artists who are now internationally recognized gold and silversmiths such as Karl W. Hoffman, Tom Odell, Michael Badsa and Ross Coppelman.
In January 2003, Bernard moved to Tucson, Arizona to continue his design and creation of custom jewelry.
“As do many artists, I find my design inspiration in the textures and forms of the natural world, and the play of light on wind and water-worn surfaces of stone, wood, and metal.
The technique of lost wax casting allows me to capture texture, and the technique of forging recreates light and movement. Precious and semi-precious stones add color and accent to the life of the design.
Most of my work is my own design and I do commissioned work where pieces are designed in consultation with the client. I also accept some repair and restoration work.”
|
When the exhibition closes in June, Mountain Shadow Gallery will continue to represent the artists’ work. The Gallery is located at 3001 E. Skyline Drive, Suite 109, on the NE corner of Skyline and Campbell, and is open 7 days a week with summer hours: Monday thru Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM.
#####
|
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
