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Clay Studio is pleased to be exhibiting the work of Resident Artist, RAIN
HARRIS. The exhibition, titled GILDING THE LILY, will run from January 2
through February 1, 2004. Rain Harris received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1997 and has exhibited her work extensively since that time in venues across the United States. With this exhibition, Harris explores new territory, creating highly decorative, excessive wall environments which contain her equally decadent poison bottles. The poison bottle series references historic perfume bottle forms, the name of the series itself commenting on the lethal materials women used through the ages to beautify themselves. Meticulously crafted using various organic forms, the bottles are suggestive of time periods past, referencing European porcelain manufacturers of the 18th and 19th century and old botanical drawings. Placed on shelves, Harris has incorporated richly designed wallpaper as her backdrop. Harris finds the contradictions inherent in the elegant yet tasteless object intriguing and as a result she strives to create "cultured" work that at times incorporates "lowbrow" elements. She carefully incorporates materials such as rhinestones, metallic surfaces, and feathers into her objects so that the viewer is not always immediately aware of their presence. Only on closer inspection does one realize that such gaudy materials have been used in the work. The Clay Studio is a non-profit ceramic arts learning center dedicated to promoting the ceramic arts and the work of new clay artists through its gallery, school, outreach programs, studio space and lecture series. Located in Old City Philadelphia, Galley hours are Tuesday through Sunday 12 to 6pm.. For further information, please contact Jeff Guido, at jeff@theclaystudio.org or 215-925-3453 x18. |
 "Ebb" Detail 2003 dimensions variable ceramic, wall paper and mixed media |
 "Pretty in Pink" Installation View 2003 dimensions variable ceramic, wall paper and mixed media |
 "Splendor" 2003 dimensions variable ceramic, wall paper and mixed media |