Living and working together is not easy, and when that work is art, logic holds that it would be only a matter of time before any relationship so tightly tethered would snap.
Matt Seikel and Denise Duong have managed to thrive, though, as they work out of the same studio in the back of their house, and often work on the same projects. Duong is a painter, Seikel is a potter, and their individual and collaborative works will be on display at the JRB Art at The Elms, beginning Friday.
"We spend more time together than probably any other two people anywhere," Seikel said.
PROCESS
Relaxation is a key element to their work, which may explain how they manage to avoid volatile work conditions as they spend so much time in close proximity.
"Painting is very relaxing and reminds me of all the positive things that are going on around us," Duong said. "If I focused on how the world is today, I'd be a very stressed-out person."
Their exhibit will demonstrate the growth of their ceramic works, once more traditional and focusing on detail-heavy symmetry. They now strive for more stylized pots, using light glazes and hand-molding instead of throwing them on a wheel.
The show is called "Bodies," partially because they are looking at the pots more as human forms, and using artistic flourishes much like a person would add tattoos to his or her skin.
"They aren't always symmetrical on the human body," Seikel said. "There's just one here or there, placed more as accents."
"?Charles Martin