Snyderman-Works Galleries present Textural Forms, a show featuring Mi-Kyoung Lee and Will Preman–two artists whose work finds life through texture and form.

On close inspection, one finds that much of Mi-Kyoung Leeʼs work is created from meticulously knotted twist-ties, pipe cleaners or other everyday materials. However, when the viewer steps away from these works, they are confronted with a dynamic and ethereal formation resembling fabric fluctuating in density and shape. Leeʼs fastidious process of twisting together these small wires contains a great energy that pushes to escape the dimensions of each piece.

Similarly, one may find that Will Premanʼs ceramic entities seem to contain an energy; even a consciousness trapped inside. These somewhat sinister, frozen creatures resemble masks or molds, with cartoonish smiles and drooping eyes. The clay casts seem to embody the spirit that they have captured–with its golden hair or hunched shoulders–and rendered it powerless. The texture and polish of these sculptures hint at the idea of an urn or vessel occupied by phantom souls from another world.

Mi-Kyoung Lee is associate professor of Crafts and the head of Fibers at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Will Preman recently graduated from the NYSCC MFA program at Alfred University and is now living and working in Philadelphia.

Gallery hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10 AM – 6 PM.