Southern Idiom: Nicole Uzzell

On View August 7, 2021 – September 12, 2021 | Preview Gallery

SECCA's Southern Idiom exhibition series continues with I Wish, a collection of sculptural works made with unbleached abaca paper by Nicole Uzzell. Join us for a special reception with the artist on Saturday, August 7 from 1pm to 4pm.

Nicole Uzzell's I Wish is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Paper primarily guides my sculptural forms with a mixture of natural and man-made materials.

Over 200 hand-pulled sheets of unbleached abaca (18 X 14) were made for this installation with each sculpture containing a welded steel rod armature.

Fluctuating between strength and fragility, decay and beauty -- the wishbone contains similar characteristics found in paper. This elegantly designed bone provides flight for birds and for me, a sense of hope during these difficult times. 

ARTIST BIO

Nicole Uzzell was raised in New Jersey and moved to NC to attend UNC-Greensboro and Winston-Salem State University. She received a MFA from Lesley University College of Art and Design in Cambridge, MA. Uzzell currently is a professor of Art at Salem College and Forsyth Technical Community College while teaching clay handbuilding at the Sawtooth School for Visual Art in Winston-Salem, NC. Uzzell lives and maintains an active studio practice at the base of Hanging Rock State Park in the foothills of Stokes County, NC.

About Southern Idiom

SECCA's Southern Idiom exhibition series launched in 2017 as a platform for elevating and celebrating the work of Winston-Salem artists. In contrast to many exhibitions at SECCA, works on view in Southern Idiom are available for purchase. Nicole Uzzell's exhibition marks the 22nd installment of the series, whose alumni artists include Sharon Hardin, Terri Dowell-Dennis, Ashley Johnson, Frank Campion, Mona Wu, Owens Daniels, Jessica Singerman, Leo Rucker, Kevin Calhoun, Paul Travis Phillips, Laura Lashley, Sam "The Dot Man" McMillan, and others.