Resaw – New work by Nathan J. Baker

Summer 2023
GPS presents a new solo exhibition by resident artist Nathan J. Baker.
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From the exhibition statement:
“Sculpture has unique characteristics as a form of artistic expression.  It often brings
presence – much like sharing a room with another person – generating a space of
confrontation or contemplation.  There is much visual art that exists on a flat plane. In contrast, sculptures inhabit and command space as objects, holding weight, both literal and metaphorical. They become areas of condensed meaning – often imbued through the physicality of their making, through the choice of materials, through the movement and energy of the artist’s body, through intentional action and intervention.

The materials chosen for this exhibition – mostly common grade sheets of plywood and basic construction lumber – are the materials that constitute the spaces we inhabit. Thus they become almost invisible by way of their ubiquity and commonness. These products are all examples of tree-as-commodity, creating a tension between the tree itself and the practical building material which it has become. As is the action of the artist.  Wrapped into these pieces are confrontations with work and value, abstraction and perfection, but with the shadow of the artist always present through his tools, his time, his decisions and his labor. 

Sculptures, as containers for meaning, are also informed by their relationship with the space in which they are placed. For this show, the works are housed in a building which the artist has transformed through years of physical labor and experience. This building itself is surrounded by the Monongahela National Forest as well as vast acres of private, active timberland – much of which is at the age of harvest.” 
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Support for this exhibition is provided by the West Virginia Department of Arts,
Culture, and History and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from
the WV Commission on the Arts.
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Nathan J. Baker is an artist and builder who lives and works in Thomas, WV. 
He is a co-founder of Gradient Projects and Invisible – an artist-run gallery in Thomas.
nathanbakerart.com

More Images to come.

Ravel • Unravel – Kimberly Joy Trathen

June 2022 – September 2022
Opening Saturday June 18th // 6pm – late

GPS invites you to the opening of a new solo exhibition by Kimberly Joy Trathen.

This new body of textile-based work is made by intimate, meditative wrapping of embroidery thread. It is rooted in a process of embodied healing and engages the artist’s personal experiences with loss. The exhibition includes a collaborative piece that invites the community to participate in the wrapping method as a way to process the collective grief of these past years.

Support for this exhibition is provided by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the WV Commission on the Arts.

Kimberly Joy currently lives and works in Thomas, WV.
She is a contemporary textile artist and founder/co-founder of three artistic initiatives: 
Backstitched Design – a solo design studio;
Gradient Projects – an artist-run project space;
Studio Holler – a collaborative textile studio.

https://kjoytrathen.com // insta: @backstitched_design

This Saturday, August 3rd // 5pm – 8pm. Please join us this Saturday at 5:00 for an artist talk with Stephen Lawson. Stephen will be discussing his artistic practice and taking questions about his current exhibition Time of Mind. A closing reception will follow with time to meet the artist and to experience the work. In addition, we’ve recently introduced the Gradient Exhibition Drawers — currently featuring work by @michellekohlerstudio, @mozarkrm, @elmalayheehoo, @jrbrubaker, and @backstitched_design. Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/323315838549743/

This Saturday, August 3rd // 5pm – 8pm.

Please join us this Saturday at 5:00 for an artist talk with Stephen Lawson.  Stephen will be discussing his artistic practice and taking questions about his current exhibition Time of Mind.  A closing reception will follow with time to meet the artist and to experience the work.

In addition, we’ve recently introduced the Gradient Exhibition Drawers — currently featuring work by @michellekohlerstudio, @mozarkrm, @elmalayheehoo, @jrbrubaker, and @backstitched_design.

Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/323315838549743/

Gradient Project Space

@queerappalachia, @jrbrubaker & @gradientprojects are en route to show work at @hirshhorn this weekend.

@queerappalachia, @jrbrubaker & @gradientprojects are en route to show work at @hirshhorn this weekend.
・・・ #Repost @queerappalachia
・・・
I have a piece of art showing at The @smithsonian’s @hirshhorn  opening this weekend. I am grateful to have the platform to talk about the opioid crises & Appalachian politics, especially where they intersect. We live in a time of digital news cycles & shorthand dog whistles like “Trump Country” that help keep #JDVance on the NYT bestseller list. It used to be every major media outlet had a “hot take” on Appalachia. Now, it feels like EVERYONE does. That’s why it’s important for Appalachians to make art & tell their own stories. On a personal note, opioid addiction & my body’s unique response to processing the Rx’s, Opioid Neurotoxicity has been the largest obstacles I have navigated in my life. Opioids help with my pain but I become untethered to reality. I live with a chronic debilitating painful auto immune disorder, pain management will be a huge part of my life the rest of my life. Trying to understand the treatment options that are available to me for pain management has meant that Opioid Neurotoxicity has been a predominate part of my life for the past decade . My relationship to opioids / how my body processes them has impacted every relationship in my life. Being able to make things has been the most healing & positive for me. From public art to homespun handmade work, making things helps me be present & in the moment.  As an Artist that almost lost their life to opioids I support the work of @sacklerpain. PAIN has worked tirelessly to hold the Sackler family accountable for their role in the opioid epidemic as owners of #PurduePharmaceuticals. In the June @vanityfair interview with #DavidSackler, David said “the family’s philanthropy is being rejected”. ONLY @ prestigious cultural institutions. What David is really saying is no one will take our money that we want to give it to. The Sackler’s have never explored #opioidreperations. I get it, wings of international museums named after you is sexier than building back the communities that you profited from their literal #deathtoll.

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

・・・ #Repost @queerappalachia
・・・
I have a piece of art showing at The @smithsonian’s @hirshhorn opening this weekend. I am grateful to have the platform to talk about the opioid crises & Appalachian politics, especially where they intersect. We live in a time of digital news cycles & shorthand dog whistles like “Trump Country” that help keep #JDVance on the NYT bestseller list. It used to be every major media outlet had a “hot take” on Appalachia. Now, it feels like EVERYONE does. That’s why it’s important for Appalachians to make art & tell their own stories. On a personal note, opioid addiction & my body’s unique response to processing the Rx’s, Opioid Neurotoxicity has been the largest obstacles I have navigated in my life. Opioids help with my pain but I become untethered to reality. I live with a chronic debilitating painful auto immune disorder, pain management will be a huge part of my life the rest of my life. Trying to understand the treatment options that are available to me for pain management has meant that Opioid Neurotoxicity has been a predominate part of my life for the past decade . My relationship to opioids / how my body processes them has impacted every relationship in my life. Being able to make things has been the most healing & positive for me. From public art to homespun handmade work, making things helps me be present & in the moment. As an Artist that almost lost their life to opioids I support the work of @sacklerpain. PAIN has worked tirelessly to hold the Sackler family accountable for their role in the opioid epidemic as owners of #PurduePharmaceuticals. In the June @vanityfair interview with #DavidSackler, David said “the family’s philanthropy is being rejected”. ONLY @ prestigious cultural institutions. What David is really saying is no one will take our money that we want to give it to. The Sackler’s have never explored #opioidreperations. I get it, wings of international museums named after you is sexier than building back the communities that you profited from their literal #deathtoll.

#Repost @_llockner ・・・ “So much of the media that focused on this region after the presidential election seemed to come from the perspective of ‘What did these dumb hillbillies do to us? Well, look what they do to themselves.’ We now have the language to change the conversation regionally and actually hold those responsible accountable. What if the money that the Sacklers spent in museums was instead spent on treatment in the areas that suffered the most for their profits? If the Sacklers want to clean their money and gain cultural equity, let it be for doing the right thing.” . I’m so honored and proud to share this important conversation between @queerappalachia and @paul.m.brown on @burnaway. ? QA creative director Mamone’s installation “Which Side Are You On”—which invokes Zoe Leonard’s 1992 work “I Want A President” in the era of the opioid epidemic—is currently on view at @gradientprojects in Thomas, WV (#thomaswv), and will travel to Asheville, NC, in March.

#Repost @_llockner
・・・
“So much of the media that focused on this region after the presidential election seemed to come from the perspective of ‘What did these dumb hillbillies do to us? Well, look what they do to themselves.’ We now have the language to change the conversation regionally and actually hold those responsible accountable. What if the money that the Sacklers spent in museums was instead spent on treatment in the areas that suffered the most for their profits? If the Sacklers want to clean their money and gain cultural equity, let it be for doing the right thing.”
.
I’m so honored and proud to share this important conversation between @queerappalachia and @paul.m.brown on @burnaway. ? QA creative director Mamone’s installation “Which Side Are You On”—which invokes Zoe Leonard’s 1992 work “I Want A President” in the era of the opioid epidemic—is currently on view at @gradientprojects in Thomas, WV (#thomaswv), and will travel to Asheville, NC, in March.

Thomas, West Virginia

This Friday… 8pm. @rolrgostr and Sea Shrine (@christopher_quattro and friends) ・・・ #Repost @rolrgostr ・・・ heyo! i hope you dear people come hang w/ us at our next gig @gradientprojects w/ #seashrine ?? #rocknroll #rōlrgōstr #art #music #fun #party #wv #flier #poster #popart #contemporaryart #empathy #forgive #indie #rock #snack #drink #ear #dance #livemusic #fellowship #light #sound #peace #love #pop #thanks ???????????

This Friday… 8pm. 
@rolrgostr and Sea Shrine (@christopher_quattro and friends)
・・・
#Repost @rolrgostr
・・・
heyo! i hope you dear people come hang w/ us at our next gig @gradientprojects w/ #seashrine ??
#rocknroll #rōlrgōstr #art #music #fun #party #wv #flier #poster #popart #contemporaryart #empathy #forgive  #indie #rock #snack #drink #ear #dance #livemusic #fellowship #light #sound #peace #love #pop #thanks ???????????

Thomas, West Virginia

#Repost @burnaway ・・・ “I see the pharmaceutical industrial complex following the same business plan that coal companies have. Appalachians have always been disposable for the right price—the coal camps were built on that business plan. Opioids have become another extractive economy like coal, ramps, morels, and natural gas. They finally put a price point on our dignity and actual lives.” . In conversation with Paul Michael Brown, West Virginia-based artist and activist Mamone, the creative director of community artist collective Queer Appalachia, speaks about building queer community and combating the opioid epidemic in Appalachia. Read the interview on our site. Mamone’s installation “Which Side Are You On” is currently on view at @gradientprojects in Thomas, WV, and will travel to Asheville, NC, in March. . @queerappalachia @paul.m.brown @sacklerpain #electricdirt #queerappalachia

#Repost @burnaway
・・・
“I see the pharmaceutical industrial complex following the same business plan that coal companies have. Appalachians have always been disposable for the right price—the coal camps were built on that business plan. Opioids have become another extractive economy like coal, ramps, morels, and natural gas. They finally put a price point on our dignity and actual lives.”
.
In conversation with Paul Michael Brown, West Virginia-based artist and activist Mamone, the creative director of community artist collective Queer Appalachia, speaks about building queer community and combating the opioid epidemic in Appalachia. Read the interview on our site. Mamone’s installation “Which Side Are You On” is currently on view at @gradientprojects in Thomas, WV, and will travel to Asheville, NC, in March.
.
@queerappalachia @paul.m.brown @sacklerpain #electricdirt #queerappalachia

Saturday January 19th. As part of #thomasartwalk • • • • Gradient will be showing: • Dutchman’s Puzzle by Kimberly Joy Trathen(@backstitched_design) • A showcase of zine work by Emily Prentice(@_emily_prentice_) • A text work by Gina Mamone(@queerappalachia) • • • • Also in Thomas this night: • Poster making and letterpress demo at @talkingleaves_ from 5:00 • ‘In Solidarity’ group show at White Room @ 6:00 • @samgrayart at @creatureofthomaswv @ 6:00 • @sarahgoodyearstudios at @lamplightgallery @ 6:30 • @michaeldoigart at @tiptopcoffeeco … • • • • In solidarity with the international women’s march and the greater movement for gender equality

Saturday January 19th.  As part of #thomasartwalk
• • • • 
Gradient will be showing:
• Dutchman’s Puzzle by Kimberly Joy Trathen(@backstitched_design)
• A showcase of zine work by Emily Prentice(@_emily_prentice_)
• A text work by Gina Mamone(@queerappalachia)
• • • • 
Also in Thomas this night:
• Poster making and letterpress demo at @talkingleaves_ from 5:00
• ‘In Solidarity’ group show at White Room @ 6:00
• @samgrayart at @creatureofthomaswv @ 6:00
• @sarahgoodyearstudios at @lamplightgallery @ 6:30
• @michaeldoigart at @tiptopcoffeeco …
• • • •
In solidarity with the international women’s march and the greater movement for gender equality

Gradient Project Space

We’re excited to be hosting a showcase of zine work by @_emily_prentice_ as part of the January #thomasartwalk ・・・ More information coming soon! ・・・ printing tonsssssss of zines from the past few years to show at the thomas art walk on jan 19th ☁️ huge gratitude to @gradientprojects for having me and for supporting these v DIY, homegrown creations. come to the art walk and take a zine home with you…all profits are going to support gender equality efforts in our region ? ・・・ #thomaswv

We’re excited to be hosting a showcase of zine work by @_emily_prentice_ as part of the January #thomasartwalk
・・・
More information coming soon!
・・・
printing tonsssssss of zines from the past few years to show at the thomas art walk on jan 19th ☁️ huge gratitude to @gradientprojects for having me and for supporting these v DIY, homegrown creations. come to the art walk and take a zine home with you…all profits are going to support gender equality efforts in our region ?
・・・
#thomaswv

Gradient Project Space

This Saturday! We’re opening a new solo show of reclaimed leather quilts by Kimberly Joy Trathen (@backstitched_design) … Also in town as part of #thomasartwalk : … Counterstitch, a group show with @frockandrollwv, @coffeebitch666 & @rebgracelaw at @offwhite_studios / @whiteroomofthomas … Then and Now, a solo show with @suzanneteune at @lamplightgallery. … And ‘Stange Drink’, a new series by @theartofseth at @creatureofthomaswv. … We hope to see you then. #thomasartwalk

This Saturday!  We’re opening a new solo show of reclaimed leather quilts by Kimberly Joy Trathen (@backstitched_design)
…
Also in town as part of #thomasartwalk :
…
Counterstitch, a group show with @frockandrollwv, @coffeebitch666 & @rebgracelaw at @offwhite_studios / @whiteroomofthomas
…
Then and Now, a solo show with @suzanneteune at @lamplightgallery.
…
And ‘Stange Drink’, a new series by @theartofseth at @creatureofthomaswv.
…
We hope to see you then.
#thomasartwalk

Gradient Project Space

Friends… This Saturday is the next Thomas Art Walk. We’ll have a new solo show of reclaimed leather quilts by Kimberly Joy Trathen (@backstitched_design) … Also in town: … Counterstitch, a group show with @frockandrollwv, @coffeebitch666 & @rebgracelaw at @offwhite_studios / @whiteroomofthomas … Then and Now, a solo show with Suzanne Joy Teune at @lamplightgallery. … And a new series by @theartofseth at @creatureofthomaswv. … We hope to see you then. #thomasartwalk

Friends… This Saturday is the next Thomas Art Walk.  We’ll have a new solo show of reclaimed leather quilts by Kimberly Joy Trathen (@backstitched_design)
…
Also in town:
…
Counterstitch, a group show with @frockandrollwv, @coffeebitch666 & @rebgracelaw at @offwhite_studios / @whiteroomofthomas
…
Then and Now, a solo show with Suzanne Joy Teune at @lamplightgallery.
…
And a new series by @theartofseth at @creatureofthomaswv.
…
We hope to see you then.
#thomasartwalk

Thomas, West Virginia

GPS resident artist @backstitched_design brings a new body of work to @apartment_earth_gallery in Charleston tonight. ・・・ So excited that my work is up for the art walk @apartmentearth gallery tonight! Come by and say hi between 5-8pm. #reclaimedleather #upcycledleather #leatherquilt #dutchmanspuzzle #quiltdesign #leather #abstract #textileart #sustainableart #ecoart #artwalk #madeinwv #appalachianart #madeinthemountains #backstitcheddesign

GPS resident artist @backstitched_design brings a new body of work to @apartment_earth_gallery in Charleston tonight. ・・・
So excited that my work is up for the art walk @apartmentearth gallery tonight! 
Come by and say hi between 5-8pm.
#reclaimedleather #upcycledleather #leatherquilt #dutchmanspuzzle #quiltdesign #leather #abstract #textileart #sustainableart #ecoart #artwalk #madeinwv #appalachianart #madeinthemountains #backstitcheddesign

Apartment Earth