BARBARA M. BERK

Barbara M. Berk’s wall-mounted sculpture “Round & Round” and her pedestal-supported sculpture “The Wave” have been selected for The Flame Within:  Metal Artistry Unleashed a curated exhibition of sculpture and jewelry at ACCI Gallery in Berkeley, CA. 

 

The exhibition is a biennial collaboration of the Metal Arts Guild, the Northern California Enamel Guild and ACCI Gallery, showcasing the members’ unique expressions in jewelry, sculpture, conceptual pieces and works that explore every aspect of metal.

 

Barbara M. Berk’s sculpture embodies the interplay of metal with traditional fiber techniques.  Her sculpture fools the eye.  “One perceives shiny lace,” says Berk.  “One expects soft and fragile.  But the reality is strong and structurally sound.  The physical properties and working characteristics of industrial metals balance and reinforce the structural integrity of traditional fiber techniques.”

 

“Round & Round” and “The Wave” were each created with one piece of crescent-shaped bobbin lace.  The flat lace fabric was stitched to a curving armature with wire, which supports the lace, enabling an open, flowing 3-dimensional form.  The wire ends, which exit along the inside and outside curves of the crescent, were twisted together and woven into the lace, ornamenting the surface with filigreed spiral motifs.

 

The Metal Arts Guild San Francisco (MAG) is an independent, non-profit, educational organization of people who are skilled, interested, or share in the production and exhibition of metals.   It provides support and resources to its members through social events, workshops, classes, exhibition opportunities, scholarships, grants, and lectures.

 

The Northern California Enamel Guild supports enamel artists and the art of enameling through encouragement, information, instruction, fellowship, and inspiration.  NCEG is a charitable, not-for-profit, volunteer organization sponsored by membership fees, donations, and volunteers.

 

ACCI Gallery – Arts & Crafts Cooperative, Inc. – is the oldest arts and crafts coop west of the Mississippi.  Founded in 1959, it continues to be a hub for emerging and established artists to display and sell their arts and crafts.  Kirk McCarthy, president of the Gallery’s board of directors, says, “The ACCI community provides a way for creatives to share ideas and energy, and learn how to survive and with a few breaks, succeed as a working artist.” 

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The Flame Within runs from October 13 through November 12, 2023.  ACCI Gallery is located at 1652 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA.  The gallery is open Monday – Saturday 11am – 6pm, and Sunday 12pm – 5pm.

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Information about the exhibition, the collaborating organizations and the

quote from Kirk McCarthy are courtesy of the MAG, NCEG and ACCI Gallery websites.

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