nOgWorks CAST OF CHARACTERS opens at Artworks Trenton
AbOmInOg Intl. Arts Collective presents a group sculpture show
From August 6 – September 21, 2013 the gallery at Artworks Trenton will be filled with the cast iron sculptures of an international group of allied artists who make up AbOmInOg Intl. Arts Collective. Featuring work made over the course of their 14 year history, the show represents the range of art created as the men and women of the collective have contributed to the monumental task of executing iron pours. The exhibition features an opening reception on August 10 from 6 – 8 pm, a panel discussion on September 6 from 8 – 9 pm, a closing reception on September 20, and a 3-part workshop series on metal casting taught by artists from the collective. Please contact Artworks Trenton for more information and to register.
Originally the collective came into being when artists affiliated with the Johnson Atelier in Hamilton, NJ pursued the vision of creating cast iron sculpture outside of the traditional foundry setting. It was a technical challenge to produce complex work requiring a melting point of 2800 degrees fahrenheit, but with the help of other dedicated and skilled artists, Matt Reiley, a founder of the collective, built the furnace or cupola. Affectionately named the AbOmInOg, and nicknamed the nOg, the furnace has served the group well, and can cast over a ton of iron artwork during an event with 250 lbs being poured at each tapping. Over the years these artists have reached out to their networks in an effort to maintain energy and keep the flame alive, enabling the group to run pop-up iron pours at both public and private events throughout Trenton and the region.
The show at Artworks represents the first time all the members of the collective have been invited to show the finished results created from AbOmInOg iron together. Co-curator and artist, Aylin Green, states, “We are very excited by this opportunity to share the fruits of our labor with the Trenton community. They may have seen us pour at events such as Art All Night, and now they will see what comes out of it. This exhibition brings accomplished artists from as far as Czech republic, Japan, and as close as Pearl Street in Trenton together for a really exceptional show of cast iron sculpture.”
For more information about the workshop and to register, click HERE