| Wesley Harris
Artist Statement:
I enjoy the challenge of working in metal. It is a resistant material, yet, wonderfully malleable. When smithing pieces, it excites me to gradually “flow” metal as a plastic solid. Metal is also a precise material. Jewellery making satisfies me immensely due to the accuracy that can be achieved in soldered construction and stone setting.
I often cut and polish my own stones to match the precision of the metal work.
I also enjoy the challenge of functional design. The purpose of a piece, its human overtones, its operational requirements are all starting points for a host of creative solutions. I strive for a fusion of form and function. As in nature, beauty of form is often synonymous with ability to function. I try to create designs that read clearly by reducing and simplifying and using smooth flowing lines that the eye can follow with ease.
Nature is my main inspiration. Its endless diversity within order parallels my own choice to create one-of-a-kind yet familiar objects. The play of light in nature pleases me, as do the reflective and optical qualities of metals and stones. I am drawn to universal forms — circles, spheres, spirals — and I strive to rework their centered, wholesome feeling. Nature offers countless examples of forms that function perfectly and forms that reflect the inherent logic of their growth pattern or internal structure. I try to translate this logic into designs that simply feel right. The process of redefining nature in my art is a challenge. It is also gratifying because the results can be very beautiful.
EXHIBITIONS: |
| Oct. 2015 |
Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador Gallery, St. John's, NL: Stellar, group show featuring work of 8 established Newfoundland artists, curated by Gloria Hickey |
| July 2015 |
Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador Gallery, St. John's, NL: All Member's Exhibit, awarded excellence in craft for Innovation and Design |
| May 2015 |
Beaux-arts des Ameriques Gallery, Montreal, Quebec: RCA New Inductees Exhibition 2015 |
| Summer 2013 |
Toronto Pearson International Airport, ON: Canadian Mosaic of Metal, invitational show, curated by Aggie Beynon |
| May 2013 |
Zilberschmuck Gallery, Toronto, ON: Three Elements, invitational show |
| Jan. 2012 |
Metal Arts Guild of Canada: Larger than Life, Exhibition in Print, one of 21 entrants accepted for publication |
| Summer 2011 |
Grenfell Campus Art Gallery, Corner Brook, NL: Rare Reflections, Wesley Harris and Hilary Rice, two-person show, metals and textiles |
| Spring 2011 |
Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador Gallery, St. John’s, NL: Rare Reflections – the Art of Wesley Harris, solo show |
| July 2005 |
Design Exchange, Toronto, ON: Northern Lights, Metal Arts Guild of Canada member show — featured on catalogue cover |
| Oct. 2002 |
Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador Gallery, St. John’s, NL: Metal: 5 Views, five-person show, curated by Gloria Hickey |
| Aug. 1993 |
Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador Gallery, St. John’s, NL: Paddling Against the Current, juried group show |
| Sept. 1991 |
Barber Gallery, Guelph, ON: Rosemarie & Wesley Harris, two-person show, watercolours and metals and nature photography |
| Summer 1981 |
American Craft Museum, New York City, USA: Craft in Motion |
| May 1981 |
Nelson Gallery / Atkins Museum, Kansas City, USA: Statements in Sterling/81, sponsored by the Sterling Silversmiths Guild of America |
| Jan. 1978 |
Hart House, University of Toronto: Hart House Craft Exhibition, First prize, advanced category |
| June 1974 |
Hamilton Place, Ontario: Image 74, juried group show |
AWARD HIGHLIGHTS: |
| May 2015 |
Officially inducted into the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (RCA) |
| 2003 |
Research grant of $15,000., Canada Council for the Arts |
| May 1981 |
First prize winner, Silver Design Competition, a national student competition sponsored by the Sterling Silversmiths Guild of America |
COMMISSION HIGHLIGHTS: |
| Princess Anne — brooch depicting coat of arms of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment |
| Newfoundland Premier Brian Tobin — pair of labradorite cufflinks |
| Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists — brooches with monogram |
| Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador — 30th anniversary pin/pendant |
| Work in numerous private collections across Canada and United States |
| Work in private collections in Australia, Norway and England |
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Labradorite Pendant with Diamonds
Orange labradorite, sterling silver, three diamonds.
Stem Vase
Sterling Silver, pure silver, 18k green cold, sphalerite, two sphenes, onyx beads, amber.
Letter Opener with Amethyst
Barrel cut amethyst, pure silver.
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