Nelson Davis
Resume
Biography
1950 Born. Springfield Ill. 1950-1960 Raised in Illinois, Texas and Spain. 1960-1968 Elementary school-High school, Wellesley Mass. 1968-1972 University of Massachusetts, Amherst. B.A. Elem. Ed. 1972 Moved to Ashland Oregon 1972-1977 Cut Ivory Scrimshaw. Independent Artist and worked for Many Feathers Scrimshaw, Newport Oregon. 1977-2003 Raised a family on Ashland Oregon. School Teacher, Radio Program Producer, Coffee House Manager, Construction, Lumber Sales. 2003-2006 Wood carver and mixed media artist. Ashland Artworks Gallery 2007 Artist, Hanson Howard Gallery
Solo Exhibitions
2004 Guest Artist Show Ashland Artworks, Ashland Oregon. April 2004 Guest Artist Show, Ashland Artworks, Ashland Oregon. July 2004 "Northwest Inspirations" Ashland Artworks, Ashland Oregon. July 2005 "Industrial Nature" Ashland Artworks, Ashland Oregon. Oct. 2006 "Metal and Madera" Ashland Artworks, Ashland Oregon. Sept.
Group Exhibitions
2003 Members monthly shows Ashland Artworks, Ashland Oregon 2004 Members monthly shows Ashland Artworks, Ashland Oregon 2005 "Ashland, Then and Now" Gallery DeForest, Ashland Oregon 2005 Members Monthly Shows, Ashland Artworks. Ashland Oregon 2005 "Transformations 5" Raphel Founders Prize. Finalist. Society for Contemporary Craft. Pittsburgh Pa. Nov.2005-Mar.2006
Traveling Exhibition
2007 Society for Contemporary Craft, "Transformations 5" Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, March - June 2007 Art association Jackson Wyoming, August - October 2007 Dennos Museum, Traverse City, MI, dates TBA
Artist Statement
I am a country boy. I live on eleven acres in the Cascade Mountains and the view from my studio includes, rock cliffs, open fields and miles of deep forest. My art work constantly reflects the events in my life. The joys of my grandchildren, the grief of death and separation, and the celebration of the gift of having my eyes wide open.
I love the multifaceted character of wood, the inherent nature of a unique grain in every piece and the ability of wood to be as smooth as river rocks or as abrasive as hog's hair.
Metal elements are toys to me. They are jigsaw puzzles of eclectic shapes and textures, begging to be married into understandable form. Intertwining the two elements is the joy of watching how a little god given inspiration, driven by tons of passion, can connect emotionally to others.
Reviews
Vickie Aldous, Daily Tidings, 8/31/06
The jurors at The Society for Contemporary Craft saw something. " That something is the power, emotion and beauty of his talismanic pieces… He blends salvaged pieces of plow heads, hay rakes, sleigh bells, bridle parts and other metal objects with cedar, pine, maple and oak, that he carves and sands to a smooth tactile finish."
"His pieces reveal his talent for carving and reflect his deep admiration for tribal art."
"Collectors are already snapping up his work. Articles about Davis are showing up in the local and regional press."
Lance Pugh, Ashland Magazine, Summer '06
"His talent is exceptional and now is on the verge of breaking out nationally"
"It's easy to get lured into Nelson's easy going manner. Most people quickly feel the need to know more about the juxtaposition of soft carved wood and rusty old metal."
"It's worthwhile, keeping an eye on Nelson." One can see, "What a conspiracy between gifted hands and artistic inspiration can concoct for the betterment of the soul."
Dianne Mettler, Artisan Northwest Magazine, Summer '06
"It can take a long time to reach a goal. For Nelson Davis, an artist working in Ashland Oregon, it took several decades." Now he has "the right combination.