New Show! August, 2023 at the Walking Man Gallery, Whitefish MT
"Anchored Roots: Clay and Wood by Holden Roberts"
Humans, as a species, possess the unique ability to create, construct, and transcend the boundaries of our existence through socializing. This artistic endeavor reflects our journey as curious beings, seeking to understand our identity, straddling the line of being animals and something other, perhaps akin to aliens. What are we? Will our desire for intelligence increase? Are we figuring out more about the beyond and less about ourselves within? Do we really know and feel what this is all about? Do you feel like you are here? We are all just winging it.
I want to enter the complex interplay between humanity's skillfulness in navigating the realms of technology and industry, and our intrinsic connection with the natural world. Where do we fall in the intricacies of structures, beings, objects, environments and knowledge? The artwork, crafted with a fusion of wood, clay, and paint, serves as a representation of my experiences with each component and material. Comparing and contrasting processes, exploring studio systems, playing with composition, I want the physicality of my work to engage the dialogue of the image.
I see art as the expression of now. The scripture of how “now” feels. What is the feeling of right now? Does artificial intelligence belong in the art world? Is AI a way to collaborate with all humans or a way of blindly inviting a new being to earth? Why must we keep improving our ability to leave this experience? Have we even experienced all of it yet? Are we ready to turn the blender on?
Through the strokes of wood and clay, I celebrate the raw beauty of these natural materials by carving the surface to reveal a new character. The vibrant palette of acrylic paint symbolizes the energy of human intellect and the overwhelming social world that coincides with enormous structures and complicated systems that hosts a wild social network. Yet, amidst our advancements, we find ourselves drifting away from the very essence that is us—the natural world.
As an artist, I advocate for balance—a coexistence where modern ingenuity harmonizes with the nurturing embrace of nature. My art calls upon humanity to embrace simplicity, savoring genuine connections with others and reveling in the universe within. Let us sit, let us dine, let us connect. We must reflect on our actions, envisioning a future where progress is intertwined with the preservation of our planet and the preservation of ourselves all while we navigate this ever-evolving tapestry of existence.Tree roots that have a high concentration of clay in their soil are stronger and grip the earth with more stability. Humans are all figuring out their best gripping method to this earth in the most effective way. We must rely on an assortment of materials and turn to others for success. Humans are social creatures who search for dynamic and diverse networks of others, but to do so we need a strong rooted anchor within ourselves.
The show will utilize ceramics, woodworking, pottery, and acrylics. Sgraffito carved wall tiles, mixed media including wood-fired ceramic components.
Email: holdenroberts@yahoo.com
Text: 406-871-2221
I was born and raised in Whitefish, Montana, where I learned how to live creatively after my artist Mother and designer Father. In 1996 i was named through a website my Dad created, one of the first websites to exist on the internet. Later he became a co-founder of a successful design-build web company, called The ZaneRay Group. My Mom has always been an artist using materials in alternative ways, such as drywall, wax, and newspaper. All of my grandparents have influenced my creative work through their own creative ventures.
At a young age, I loved to cook, build stuff, and teach myself how to do things. Curiosity for systems and beauty of structure. How parts could contribute to the whole. I have struggled with human interaction most of my life. We all interact differently but I had a hard time with that realm. Depicting people in my art has found a spot in every stage of my artwork. Living in a massive socialized network has always fascinated me. I have many critiques and admiration for humans. Figuring out my place by making art is my way of positioning myself in the network of society. The successful stage of a group of people celebrates by making art. Function starts to wear beauty. In High School I spent a lot of my time in the wood shop and art room creating, and playing around with materials. I wanted to mix the two methods, using the constructive and subtractive three-dimensional aspect of woodworking with the visual intricacies of painting and drawing.
In 2014 I graduated High School and was awarded an art scholarship to attend Montana State University with a focus in painting and sculpture. In Spring of 2017, I traveled abroad to Italy where I learned ceramics from Josh DeWeese, and Jeremy Hatch. Working with a new material like clay fascinated me and pushed me to play with new media combinations in my own work. Combining not only materials, but art processes like ceramics and wood would create a dynamic studio work flow. Timing glue-ups of wood parts, clay slab drying, and kiln loads. Creating methods in my work flow to maintain a dynamic practice. Maintaining a consistent practice can be difficult, I have found success when the work consists of multiple mediums. This allows me to be flexible where I work. I might be in my ceramics studio one day, the painting room the next and then working on wood.
Current Show, August
Anchored Roots, Solo Show, Walking Man Gallery
Whitefish, MT
Group Show, Maine Craft Association
Portland, ME
The Human Collective, 3 year installation, Kinetic sculpture, video, and paintings, Norm Absjornson Hall Installation Space
Bozeman, MT / 2019-2022
The Human Collective, Solo Show BFA Thesis Show, Norm Absjornson Hall
Bozeman, MT / 2019-2022
BFA Thesis Group Show, Helen E. Copeland Gallery
Bozeman, MT
Our Zesty Domain, Solo Show, Walking Man Gallery
Whitefish, MT
Art of OUR CENTURY, Juried National, Woodbury Art Museum
Utah , May-July 2018
Bring Back the Brooch. Juried Student Show, Dean’s Gallery
Bozeman, MT
Vox Populi. Student Juried Group Show, Helen E. Copeland Gallery
Bozeman, MT
Modicum Moment: Moving People. Solo Show, Waller Yoblonsky Gallery
Bozeman, MT
Another Layer. Solo Show, Townshend's Tea House
Bozeman, MT
MADE Fair. Solo booth
Missoula, MT
MADE Fair. Solo booth
Helena, MT
Ciao! Group Show. Work from Italy
Bozeman, MT
MSU Juried Student Exhibit.
Livingston, MT
Conception. Group show
New York, NY
Whitefish Arts Festival. Solo booth.
Whitefish, MT
Grazia Factory Group Show.
Deruta, Italy,
Radical Creativity Art Walk: The Bent Dimension.
Collaborative Installation with a scientist, a teacher, and a designer
Waller-Yoblonsky Gallery
Bozeman, MT
Inexact Utilization: Component Portraiture. Solo Show
Monthly Featured Artist at Walking Man Frame Shop and Gallery.
Whitefish, MT, June
2015 All Face Show. Solo show Cottonwood Club.
Bozeman, MT
Paper Airplane Designs.
Livingston, MT
Walking Man Frame Shop and Gallery
Whitefish, MT
Whitefish Arts Festival. Solo booth.
Whitefish, MT
Provocative A Group Art Show. Foundry Downtown
Bozeman, MT