Wood – or a fine imitation of it – captures the imagination in intriguing ways at CraftTexas 2012, the biennial juried exhibition at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.
Is it just coincidence that jurors Jean McLaughlin, Rachelle Thiewes and Jade Walker gave awards of merit to three artists who riff on this theme in fun but refined ways?
Steve Hilton’s installation, “Tea for ?,” a wall of free-form teapots that appear to be made of crusty, petrified wood, are crafted of amazingly detailed stoneware.
George Sacaris’ “Faux Bois” pieces are the aesthetic reverse, transforming the idea of rustic wood stumps into sleek stools and benches of shiny aluminum.
Paula Gron employs real twigs and reeds as mediums for her basket-woven pieces, “Milk With Your Tea?” and “My Toothbrush.”
See them through Dec. 30 at the center, 4848 Main, 713-529-4848; www.crafthouston.org.
Molly Glentzer