FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: KC, MO—Belger Crane Yard Studios is pleased to present, IN/Residence opening Friday June 5th from 6-9pm with a small public reception (advanced registration is required). Gallery hours are by appointment Mon-Sat between 10am-4pm. Please contact us at gallery@belgerarts.org, to book a time to visit the exhibition or schedule a tour.

IN/Residence celebrates the work of the current Artists in Residence: Amanda Bury, Elaine Buss, Saj Issa, Lilly Powell and Kate Schroeder. These 5 ceramic artists were selected from an international pool of applicants vying for time, space and the opportunity to participate in the Red Star Residency program. Over the past year, the residents have developed their individual bodies of work culminating in this exhibition at an unprecedented time--a global pandemic. 

IN/Residence features an eclectic mix of styles and themes with works ranging from sculptural to conceptual to new interpretations of utilitarian vases; yet, connecting these disparate bodies of work is the commonality of interior exploration. 

As we spend more time socially distanced, the interiors we inhabit range from the physical to the philosophical. Kate Schroeder’s work playfully depicts intimate interior spaces on the exterior surfaces. Her small wall hangings feature interior vignettes of household furniture, objects and prized possessions- both living and inanimate. Lilly Powell’s tiled pedestals and mirrored wall hangings pay homage to 1950’s bathroom interiors, while the objects displayed atop them reflect records of her intimate daily grooming rituals. Amanda Bury's functional ceramics are physical conduits for daily sustenance, bringing the interior focus to the nourishment of our bodies. Elaine Buss’s sculptural forms explore what it means to inhabit a body and a space. Visually ambiguous, these forms offer viewers a place to pause, reflect internally and consider their own physical relationship to the objects in their environment. Saj Issa’s work is a representation of her personal experiences with identity and displacement. She imbues domestic objects with mixed cultural references and conflicting points of view. Fraught with humor, hostility and discomfort this work invites internal reflection on values and perspectives. IN/Residence takes viewers on a journey that is simultaneously personal and collective- reminding us that we are connected even during times of increased isolation.