Jillian Barber
Behind and within all of my work in clay, collage, or photography, is a deep love and respect for nature. For me, a portrait captures one’s natural beauty. I seek to enhance that beauty elevating it to a more mysterious realm in both clay sculpture and photography. Light texture, gesture, and magic are all-important to me.
The series for As We Are is a celebration of love, fertility, and fecundity. Over the years, I have photographed Alexandra many times and cast many fascinating masks of her face. In these photographs of Alexandra, she is roundly pregnant and her body is living sculpture: Madonna, sensual, graceful, and full of promise. Her husband’s sinewy form holds and protects their newborn. The shell symbolizes the spiral of life.
In the past several years, I have been delving into a box of family memories often shared with relatives in England. I have enlarged some of my favorite photographs and hand-colored them with exciting results. They area source of timeless inspiration. They are a visual way of ‘making art’ of my life, and a way of honoring the people, animals, and places that I love.
Artist Statement
Since graduating from the RI School of Design in the late sixties, my career has been in ceramic sculpture, mask making, and costume design. Through all life's travels, my old Minolta has been a constant companion,
photographing life and light as I see it.
In both photographic portraits and clay portraits, I combine a deep reverence for nature with imagination, archetype, and dream images. My work has a sense of sacred place, time out of time, a bit mystical and I grew up climbing a copper beech and trees in Wilcox Park in Westerly, wandering woods and the watersides of Watch Hill. I have always honored trees and venerable, aged things. And I celebrate the luminous beauty of blossoming youth.
A person is living sculpture, malleable ivory marble. My eyes seek natural beauty, contrasting textures, light and shadow. The camera is a third eye which searches for truth, balance , wonder, and magic. What is within is without, afterall.
SUMMARY of EXPERIENCE:
Mask making and sculpture have been the focus of my life's work since graduating from
the Rhode Island School of Design in 1968. I have exhibited nationally, winning many
awards for both sculpture and photography. In 1987 I received a Fellowship in Design
for theatrical masks and costumes created for The Chorus of Westerly’s Celebration of Twelfth Night for which I have designed since 1975. I have taught workshops in mask-making, and given clay sculpture demonstrations and slide lectures at schools, libraries, and museums.
EDUCATION:
B.F.A. Ceramics, 1968, Rhode Island School of Design
Eliza B. Radeke Scholarship
EXPERIENCE:
1997 - Artist In Residence, Tile Mural, Jamestown Elementary School, RISCA grant
1997 - 2001 - Vice President., Board of Directors, Conanicut Island Art Association
1997 - Present - Chairman of Library Exhibitions, Conanicut Island Art Association
1993 – 2001 - Board of Directors, Conanicut Island Art Association
1975 to present – Ceramic Designer/Sculptor
Designer, The Chorus of Westerly’s Celebration of Twelfth Night
AWARDS:
2004 – 2nd Place, Photography Show, Randall Art Gallery, Jamestown, R.I.
2nd Place, Members Show, Wickford Art Association, Wickford, R.I.
Award of Merit, Artists Cooperative Gallery, Westerly, R.I.
3rd Place, Open Media Show, South County Art Association, Kingston, R.I.
2003 - 1st Place, South County Art Association, Juried Photography Annual, R.I.
2nd Place, Annual Summer Show, Conanicut Island Art Association, Jamestown, R.I.
Honorable Mention, Juried Portrait Show, Wickford Art Association, R.I.
Honorable Mention, Members Show, Wickford Art Association, R.I.,
Honorable Mention, “Earthworks”, South County Art Association, Kingston, R.I
Honorable Mention, 14th Annual Photo Show, Wickford Art Association, Wickford, R.I.
Honorable Mention, All Media Juried Show, South County Art Association, Kingston, R.I.
Honorable Mention, 17th R.I. Open, Warwick Museum, Warwick, R.I.
2002 - 1st Place, Members Show, Wickford Art Association, R.I.
1st Place, Photography Annual, Wickford Art Association, R.I.
“Best Use of Materials”, Island Arts, Newport, R.I.
2001 - 3rd prize, Wickford Art Association Annual Photography Show, R.I.
Honorable Mention, 45th Regional Juried Show, Mystic Art Association, CT
2nd Prize, 15th Annual R.I. Open, The Warwick Museum, R.I.
2000 - 2nd prize, Member’s Show, Wickford Art Association
3rd prize, Crafts, The Mystic Outdoor Art Festival
Honorable Mention, Photography Annual, South County Art Association
Honorable Mention and 6th Prize, The 14th R.I. Open, Warwick Museum
1999 - 1st Prize, the 13th Annual RI Open, Warwick Museum
Honorable Mention, Wickford Art Association
1998 - Honorable Mention, “QE2”, The Warwick Museum
1996 - 1st prize, Wickford Art Association, Members Show
1996 - Honorable Mention, Mystic CT Art Association
1994 - Honorable Mention, "Earthworks", Kingston, R.I.
1993 - 1st prize Sculpture, Wickford Art Association, R.I.
1989 - 1st prize Sculpture, Mystic Art Association
1988 - 3rd prize Sculpture, Mystic Art Association
Potter Hazlehurst Award, R.I. Open, Warwick Museum
1987 - Fellowship in Design, RI State Council on the Arts
1982 - 1st and 2nd prizes, "Earthworks", Kingston, RI
1980 - 2nd prize, "Earthworks", Kingston, RI
EXHIBITS:
2004 – “Spirits Bright”, Two-person show, Randall Art Gallery, Jamestown, R.I.
“Muse”, Three-Woman Show, Wickford Art Association, Wickford, R.I.
“As We Are”, The Group, Photography Show at South County Art Association, R.I.
2003 - Newport Art Museum Members Show, Newport, R.I.
“Go Figure”, DeBlois Gallery, Newport, R.I.
“Summer” Invitational, Number Two Marlborough Gallery, Newport, R.I.
2002 - Newport Art Museum Members Show, Newport, R.I.
“Evocations”, a 3 Woman Show, Spring Bull Gallery, Newport, R.I.
“B.A.R.E.”, Pfizer, Groton, CT
“Mixed Media”, Providence Art Club, R.I.
“Masks and Memories”, One Woman Show, The Jamestown Philomenian Library, R.I. 2001 - Newport Art Museum Members Show, Newport, R.I.
“In Our Element”, The Potters of Newport County, Newport Art Museum, R.I
Third Annual Little Compton Art Show, R.I.
South County Art Association Photography Show, Kingston, R.I.
The Providence Art Club Art and Craft Centennial, Providence, R.I.
“Visions”, Newport Congregational Church, R.I.
“Self”, The Hygienic Gallery, New London, CT
Photography Annual, Mystic Art Association, CT
Fine Furnishings, Providence, R.I.
2000 - Open Portrait Show, Spring Bull Gallery, Newport, R.I.
Women’s Sacred Art Show, Newport, R.I.
1999 - South County Art Association Juried Photography Annual
1998 - Portrait Mask in B.A.R.E., Pfizer, Groton, CT.
1997 - Spring Bull Gallery Show of Jamestown Artists, Newport, R.I.
1996 - "Bay Light", 3 person show, Wickford Art Association, Wickford, R.I.
Juror, Providence Art Club, Providence, R.I.
1995 - "Garden Show", Society of Arts & Crafts, Boston, MA
1994 - "Wild Woods and Other Creatures", Sculpture Show, SCAA, Kingston, R.I.
"Scents and Non-Scents", Signature Gallery, Boston, MA
1993 - Angel Ornament, designed for White House Christmas Tree, Washington, D.C.
Window Show, Arnold's Art, Newport, R.I.
Maskapades, Children's Museum of R.I., Pawtucket, R.I.
7th Annual R.I. Open, Warwick Museum, Warwick, R.I.
1992 - "Ornaments", Signature Gallery, Boston, MA
"Sculpture II", Helme House, Kingston, R.I.
"Women’s Sacred Art", The Gallery, Newport, R.I.
1991 - Mask Show, International Gallery, San Diego, CA
Teapots", Gallery Alexander, La Jolla, CA
"Masquerade", One Woman Show, Sun Up Gallery, Westerly, R.I.
"Sculpture I", Helme House, Kingston, R.I.
1990 - "Teapots - A Strange Brew". International Gallery, San Diego, CA
"The Glorified Goblet", Signature Gallery, Boston, MA
Masks, International Gallery, San Diego, CA
Masks, Glass Growers Gallery, Erie, PA
1989 - "RI Artists", Warwick Museum, Warwick, RI
Masks, Skillbeck Grosse Gallery, Charlotte, NC
Masks, Glass Growers Gallery, Erie, PA
Member's Show, Newport Art Museum, Newport, RI
1988 - "Form and Function of RI Artists", Warwick Museum, Warwick, RI
Member's Show, Mystic Art Association, Mystic, CT
1987 - "Teapots", Springfield Art Association, Springfield, IL
"Bogus Beasts", International Gallery, San Diego, CA
"Winged Things", Leverett Art Center, Leverett, MA
Masks and Figures, Mari Gallery, Mamaroneck, NY
Masks, Glass Growers Gallery, Erie, PA
Masks, International Gallery, San Diego, CA
1986 - "A Valentine in Clay", Springfield Art Association, Springfield, IL
Mask Show, International Gallery, San Diego, CA
"Body Parts", Down on the Farm, Moodus, CT
1985 – “Color in Clay”, Sun Up Gallery, Westerly, R.I.
"Erotic Show", Boston Center for the Arts, Boston, MA
"Animals and Other Critters", Evergreen Gallery, Guilford, CT
1984 - "Art of the RI Designer Craftsman", Newport Art Museum, Newport, R.I.
“Whimsey”, Elaine Potter Gallery, San Francisco, CA
"Christmas Show", Artisans Gallery, Great Neck, NY
1983 - “Earth Awakening”, Sun Up Gallery, Westerly, R.I.
“Beauty and the Beast”, Signature Gallery, Boston, MA
1982 - “Masks”, Webster Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Sculpture Show, Mystic Art Association, Mystic, CT
1981 - “Wands and Wishes”, Leverett Art Center, Leverett, MA
"Earth-Air-Fire", Seraph Gallery, Washington, DC
1980 - "Masks", Human Arts Gallery, Dallas, TX
"Alumni II", R.I. School of Design, RI
"The Hand and the Spirit", Westerly Public Library
MEMBERSHIPS:
Conanicut Island Art Association
Mystic, Connecticut Art Center
Newport Art Museum
South County Art Association
The Group
The Potter’s of Newport County
The Quononocutt Garden Club
The Randall Art Gallery
Wickford Art Association
Jillian Barber was born in Staffordshire, England, (the home of English pottery!), grew up in Rhode Island, and presently resides in Jamestown, RI on the island of Conanicut in Narragansett Bay. An award-winning ceramic sculptor and photographer, Jillian is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design where she studied clay with Norman Schulman and glass with Dale Chihuly. Jillian is very active in local art associations and has worked professionally in the arts for over thirty five years. She is a past recipient of a Fellowship in Design.
Jillian is well known for fantasy masks sculpted from individual portrait castings and imaginative, expressive mythical animals. She is inspired by natural beauty. She creates a headdress to surround each face of flowers or birds, dragons, and shells. They often have the feeling of a temple mask. The masks are richly textured and colorfully glazed combining her love of nature with the realm of symbols, archetypes, and dreams. Masks of both men and women have a peaceful, meditative beauty. One favorite is the Mask of the Greenman. Choosing a handsome, expressive face, Jillian surrounds the form with leaves and vines, glazing the piece in celadon green. The Greenman is an ancient symbol of male fertility, rebirth, and regeneration. He makes a dramatic fountain as well.
Jillian’s clay animals also have a life of their own. They vary from small, whimsical, pea-eating dragons to large, crouching lionlike creatures. She loves to make lacy fish, seahorses, mermaids, and turtles for the wall.
Each piece is made entirely by the artist’s hand of fine, white clay with textures of antique lace and shells. Each piece is individually created, painted with under glazes, and often fired three times with the addition of mother-of-pearl luster.
Jillian accepts special orders and commissions for private, portrait masks. Her palette is broad and work highly refined. Jillian’s sculpture brings a gentle, evocative, peaceful beauty into your home and garden.
Behind and within all of my work in clay, collage, or photography, is a deep love and respect for nature. For me, a portrait captures one’s natural beauty. I seek to enhance that beauty elevating it to a more mysterious realm in both clay sculpture and photography. Light texture, gesture, and magic are all-important to me.
The series for As We Are is a celebration of love, fertility, and fecundity. Over the years, I have photographed Alexandra many times and cast many fascinating masks of her face. In these photographs of Alexandra, she is roundly pregnant and her body is living sculpture: Madonna, sensual, graceful, and full of promise. Her husband’s sinewy form holds and protects their newborn. The shell symbolizes the spiral of life.
In the past several years, I have been delving into a box of family memories often shared with relatives in England. I have enlarged some of my favorite photographs and hand-colored them with exciting results. They area source of timeless inspiration. They are a visual way of ‘making art’ of my life, and a way of honoring the people, animals, and places that I love.
Artist Statement
Since graduating from the RI School of Design in the late sixties, my career has been in ceramic sculpture, mask making, and costume design. Through all life's travels, my old Minolta has been a constant companion,
photographing life and light as I see it.
In both photographic portraits and clay portraits, I combine a deep reverence for nature with imagination, archetype, and dream images. My work has a sense of sacred place, time out of time, a bit mystical and I grew up climbing a copper beech and trees in Wilcox Park in Westerly, wandering woods and the watersides of Watch Hill. I have always honored trees and venerable, aged things. And I celebrate the luminous beauty of blossoming youth.
A person is living sculpture, malleable ivory marble. My eyes seek natural beauty, contrasting textures, light and shadow. The camera is a third eye which searches for truth, balance , wonder, and magic. What is within is without, afterall.
SUMMARY of EXPERIENCE:
Mask making and sculpture have been the focus of my life's work since graduating from
the Rhode Island School of Design in 1968. I have exhibited nationally, winning many
awards for both sculpture and photography. In 1987 I received a Fellowship in Design
for theatrical masks and costumes created for The Chorus of Westerly’s Celebration of Twelfth Night for which I have designed since 1975. I have taught workshops in mask-making, and given clay sculpture demonstrations and slide lectures at schools, libraries, and museums.
EDUCATION:
B.F.A. Ceramics, 1968, Rhode Island School of Design
Eliza B. Radeke Scholarship
EXPERIENCE:
1997 - Artist In Residence, Tile Mural, Jamestown Elementary School, RISCA grant
1997 - 2001 - Vice President., Board of Directors, Conanicut Island Art Association
1997 - Present - Chairman of Library Exhibitions, Conanicut Island Art Association
1993 – 2001 - Board of Directors, Conanicut Island Art Association
1975 to present – Ceramic Designer/Sculptor
Designer, The Chorus of Westerly’s Celebration of Twelfth Night
AWARDS:
2004 – 2nd Place, Photography Show, Randall Art Gallery, Jamestown, R.I.
2nd Place, Members Show, Wickford Art Association, Wickford, R.I.
Award of Merit, Artists Cooperative Gallery, Westerly, R.I.
3rd Place, Open Media Show, South County Art Association, Kingston, R.I.
2003 - 1st Place, South County Art Association, Juried Photography Annual, R.I.
2nd Place, Annual Summer Show, Conanicut Island Art Association, Jamestown, R.I.
Honorable Mention, Juried Portrait Show, Wickford Art Association, R.I.
Honorable Mention, Members Show, Wickford Art Association, R.I.,
Honorable Mention, “Earthworks”, South County Art Association, Kingston, R.I
Honorable Mention, 14th Annual Photo Show, Wickford Art Association, Wickford, R.I.
Honorable Mention, All Media Juried Show, South County Art Association, Kingston, R.I.
Honorable Mention, 17th R.I. Open, Warwick Museum, Warwick, R.I.
2002 - 1st Place, Members Show, Wickford Art Association, R.I.
1st Place, Photography Annual, Wickford Art Association, R.I.
“Best Use of Materials”, Island Arts, Newport, R.I.
2001 - 3rd prize, Wickford Art Association Annual Photography Show, R.I.
Honorable Mention, 45th Regional Juried Show, Mystic Art Association, CT
2nd Prize, 15th Annual R.I. Open, The Warwick Museum, R.I.
2000 - 2nd prize, Member’s Show, Wickford Art Association
3rd prize, Crafts, The Mystic Outdoor Art Festival
Honorable Mention, Photography Annual, South County Art Association
Honorable Mention and 6th Prize, The 14th R.I. Open, Warwick Museum
1999 - 1st Prize, the 13th Annual RI Open, Warwick Museum
Honorable Mention, Wickford Art Association
1998 - Honorable Mention, “QE2”, The Warwick Museum
1996 - 1st prize, Wickford Art Association, Members Show
1996 - Honorable Mention, Mystic CT Art Association
1994 - Honorable Mention, "Earthworks", Kingston, R.I.
1993 - 1st prize Sculpture, Wickford Art Association, R.I.
1989 - 1st prize Sculpture, Mystic Art Association
1988 - 3rd prize Sculpture, Mystic Art Association
Potter Hazlehurst Award, R.I. Open, Warwick Museum
1987 - Fellowship in Design, RI State Council on the Arts
1982 - 1st and 2nd prizes, "Earthworks", Kingston, RI
1980 - 2nd prize, "Earthworks", Kingston, RI
EXHIBITS:
2004 – “Spirits Bright”, Two-person show, Randall Art Gallery, Jamestown, R.I.
“Muse”, Three-Woman Show, Wickford Art Association, Wickford, R.I.
“As We Are”, The Group, Photography Show at South County Art Association, R.I.
2003 - Newport Art Museum Members Show, Newport, R.I.
“Go Figure”, DeBlois Gallery, Newport, R.I.
“Summer” Invitational, Number Two Marlborough Gallery, Newport, R.I.
2002 - Newport Art Museum Members Show, Newport, R.I.
“Evocations”, a 3 Woman Show, Spring Bull Gallery, Newport, R.I.
“B.A.R.E.”, Pfizer, Groton, CT
“Mixed Media”, Providence Art Club, R.I.
“Masks and Memories”, One Woman Show, The Jamestown Philomenian Library, R.I. 2001 - Newport Art Museum Members Show, Newport, R.I.
“In Our Element”, The Potters of Newport County, Newport Art Museum, R.I
Third Annual Little Compton Art Show, R.I.
South County Art Association Photography Show, Kingston, R.I.
The Providence Art Club Art and Craft Centennial, Providence, R.I.
“Visions”, Newport Congregational Church, R.I.
“Self”, The Hygienic Gallery, New London, CT
Photography Annual, Mystic Art Association, CT
Fine Furnishings, Providence, R.I.
2000 - Open Portrait Show, Spring Bull Gallery, Newport, R.I.
Women’s Sacred Art Show, Newport, R.I.
1999 - South County Art Association Juried Photography Annual
1998 - Portrait Mask in B.A.R.E., Pfizer, Groton, CT.
1997 - Spring Bull Gallery Show of Jamestown Artists, Newport, R.I.
1996 - "Bay Light", 3 person show, Wickford Art Association, Wickford, R.I.
Juror, Providence Art Club, Providence, R.I.
1995 - "Garden Show", Society of Arts & Crafts, Boston, MA
1994 - "Wild Woods and Other Creatures", Sculpture Show, SCAA, Kingston, R.I.
"Scents and Non-Scents", Signature Gallery, Boston, MA
1993 - Angel Ornament, designed for White House Christmas Tree, Washington, D.C.
Window Show, Arnold's Art, Newport, R.I.
Maskapades, Children's Museum of R.I., Pawtucket, R.I.
7th Annual R.I. Open, Warwick Museum, Warwick, R.I.
1992 - "Ornaments", Signature Gallery, Boston, MA
"Sculpture II", Helme House, Kingston, R.I.
"Women’s Sacred Art", The Gallery, Newport, R.I.
1991 - Mask Show, International Gallery, San Diego, CA
Teapots", Gallery Alexander, La Jolla, CA
"Masquerade", One Woman Show, Sun Up Gallery, Westerly, R.I.
"Sculpture I", Helme House, Kingston, R.I.
1990 - "Teapots - A Strange Brew". International Gallery, San Diego, CA
"The Glorified Goblet", Signature Gallery, Boston, MA
Masks, International Gallery, San Diego, CA
Masks, Glass Growers Gallery, Erie, PA
1989 - "RI Artists", Warwick Museum, Warwick, RI
Masks, Skillbeck Grosse Gallery, Charlotte, NC
Masks, Glass Growers Gallery, Erie, PA
Member's Show, Newport Art Museum, Newport, RI
1988 - "Form and Function of RI Artists", Warwick Museum, Warwick, RI
Member's Show, Mystic Art Association, Mystic, CT
1987 - "Teapots", Springfield Art Association, Springfield, IL
"Bogus Beasts", International Gallery, San Diego, CA
"Winged Things", Leverett Art Center, Leverett, MA
Masks and Figures, Mari Gallery, Mamaroneck, NY
Masks, Glass Growers Gallery, Erie, PA
Masks, International Gallery, San Diego, CA
1986 - "A Valentine in Clay", Springfield Art Association, Springfield, IL
Mask Show, International Gallery, San Diego, CA
"Body Parts", Down on the Farm, Moodus, CT
1985 – “Color in Clay”, Sun Up Gallery, Westerly, R.I.
"Erotic Show", Boston Center for the Arts, Boston, MA
"Animals and Other Critters", Evergreen Gallery, Guilford, CT
1984 - "Art of the RI Designer Craftsman", Newport Art Museum, Newport, R.I.
“Whimsey”, Elaine Potter Gallery, San Francisco, CA
"Christmas Show", Artisans Gallery, Great Neck, NY
1983 - “Earth Awakening”, Sun Up Gallery, Westerly, R.I.
“Beauty and the Beast”, Signature Gallery, Boston, MA
1982 - “Masks”, Webster Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Sculpture Show, Mystic Art Association, Mystic, CT
1981 - “Wands and Wishes”, Leverett Art Center, Leverett, MA
"Earth-Air-Fire", Seraph Gallery, Washington, DC
1980 - "Masks", Human Arts Gallery, Dallas, TX
"Alumni II", R.I. School of Design, RI
"The Hand and the Spirit", Westerly Public Library
MEMBERSHIPS:
Conanicut Island Art Association
Mystic, Connecticut Art Center
Newport Art Museum
South County Art Association
The Group
The Potter’s of Newport County
The Quononocutt Garden Club
The Randall Art Gallery
Wickford Art Association
Jillian Barber was born in Staffordshire, England, (the home of English pottery!), grew up in Rhode Island, and presently resides in Jamestown, RI on the island of Conanicut in Narragansett Bay. An award-winning ceramic sculptor and photographer, Jillian is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design where she studied clay with Norman Schulman and glass with Dale Chihuly. Jillian is very active in local art associations and has worked professionally in the arts for over thirty five years. She is a past recipient of a Fellowship in Design.
Jillian is well known for fantasy masks sculpted from individual portrait castings and imaginative, expressive mythical animals. She is inspired by natural beauty. She creates a headdress to surround each face of flowers or birds, dragons, and shells. They often have the feeling of a temple mask. The masks are richly textured and colorfully glazed combining her love of nature with the realm of symbols, archetypes, and dreams. Masks of both men and women have a peaceful, meditative beauty. One favorite is the Mask of the Greenman. Choosing a handsome, expressive face, Jillian surrounds the form with leaves and vines, glazing the piece in celadon green. The Greenman is an ancient symbol of male fertility, rebirth, and regeneration. He makes a dramatic fountain as well.
Jillian’s clay animals also have a life of their own. They vary from small, whimsical, pea-eating dragons to large, crouching lionlike creatures. She loves to make lacy fish, seahorses, mermaids, and turtles for the wall.
Each piece is made entirely by the artist’s hand of fine, white clay with textures of antique lace and shells. Each piece is individually created, painted with under glazes, and often fired three times with the addition of mother-of-pearl luster.
Jillian accepts special orders and commissions for private, portrait masks. Her palette is broad and work highly refined. Jillian’s sculpture brings a gentle, evocative, peaceful beauty into your home and garden.