'Skins and Skeletons'

Artist collective Team Lump exhibits in AVA Gallery

By Ann Nichols

annsnichols@aol.com

Six members of Team Lump, an artist collective based in Raleigh, N.C., will transform the Association for Visual Arts Gallery into a sculpture garden and site-specific "hut" by Friday.

The exhibition, titled "Skins and Skeletons," will illustrate Team Lump's contemporary approach to the presentation of art that combines technical skills and punk rock irreverence.

One portion of the show will consist of an 8-foot by 8-foot white table that will hold small sculptural objects made by different members.

"These objects range from the absurd to derivative spoofs of historical and contemporary art history sources," said member Jerstin Crosby. "The table will act as the perimeters of a hypothetical scale-model sculpture garden."

Another area of the gallery will be devoted to a site-specific hut constructed from cardboard boxes. Visitors will be able to go inside the hut to "hang out and become part of the collaborative installation," added Mr. Crosby.

Finally, a video screening component will show how the members work individually and as a group.

The title of the exhibit, "Skins and Skeletons," references academic and personal discussions the members had when planning for the AVA exhibit space and the idea of a sculpture garden.

"We see the surface of a sculpture as a skin and skeletons as structures to build form upon," said Tory Wright, another member of the group.

Materials used in the exhibit were created by the members specifically for this exhibition or were acquired from dumpsites and scrap piles.

Team Lump has been collaborating for more than 10 years and is dedicated to promoting emerging, mid-career and under-recognized artists. Members strive to create exhibitions that are challenging, thought-provoking and fall outside the confines of a commodity-driven art market without commercial compromise.

Other members of the group participating are Bill Thelen, David Colagiovanni, Megan Sullivan and Rich McIsaac.

"Skins and Skeletons" continues through Aug. 27. A reception will be held Friday from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

AVA, 30 Frazier Ave., is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Call 265-4282.

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