Jonathan Bowling, artist
Grovewood Gallery presents the Enchanted Garden Art Show, a collection of outdoor sculptures running from Saturday, June 14, to September 21. This unique exhibition, set against the backdrop of Grovewood Village, offers visitors an opportunity to experience the fusion of art and nature through a carefully curated collection of works by eight talented artists.
The show features a variety of sculptures, from whimsical leaf shapes to introspective figures. Bob Doster, one of the featured artists, shared how his childhood memories of playing in leaf piles and the sight of leaves blowing across a parking lot influenced his work. “Everything in my environment influences my work,” Doster says. “I look in wonder at the world around me and take bits and pieces of it to create my sculptures.”
His choice of materials results in a finished piece that authentically mirrors the natural world. “I like using corten steel because of the earthy colors after it has reached its full patina—the sculptures blend into their environment—and stainless steel because of the way the light plays off of the surface.”
The work of J. Aaron Alderman explores the balance of physical and visual weight and the introspective journey suggested by boat imagery. His figures in boats invite viewers to pause and contemplate, offering an introspective connection to his work. “The addition of copper elements helps bring attention to and greater expression to things like hands,” he says. “Our hands are so expressive and can say so much on their own.”
The materials Alderman uses, including round stock steel and copper, allow him to create expressive subjects. He enjoys working with steel in a three-dimensional space, using simple processes to transform rigid material into works of art. “I love this process as it doesn’t require complex tools or machinery,” Alderman says. “The expression, visual repetition and emotion comes from my input and my hand creating a unique work of art.”
The exhibition’s opening reception is on Saturday, June 14, from 2–5 p.m.
Grovewood Village is located at 111 Grovewood Road, adjacent to and below the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville. Gallery hours are Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free parking is available onsite. To learn more, visit Grovewood.com or call 828.214.7768.
