Barbara Odil - Sculpture

About the Artist

Artist Statement

When limb separates from trunk, falls on the ground or is carried by water, it begins an evolution. Nature starts the decay process; wind earth, water and fire alter it and wear away the outer layers. Insects carve intricate patterns in the wood; ocean creatures make it their home.

This wood is the basis and inspiration for my sculptures. Each piece is wild harvested from its natural environment of forest, seashore or desert. It is then kiln cured, cut, carved, sanded, pegged and assembled. Finally the sculpture is finished with oils, stains or shellacs and embellished.



Current and Upcoming Shows and Exhibitions

Invitational Exhibitions

  • River Gallery / Chattanooga, Tennessee / Feb 2014 (Reception Fri Feb 7, 6:30 - 8pm.)

Juried Shows

  • Magic City Art Connection / Birmingham, Alabama / April 25-27, 2014. Linn Park. 10-6 Fri & Sat, 10-5 Sun

Past Shows, Exhibits and Other Recognition

Selected Commissions and Collections

  • Dr. Ronald Taylor, Dept. Chairman, African American Studies, University of Connecticut / Storrs, Connecticut
  • Mercer University, Indigenous Art Collection / Macon, Georgia

Invitational Exhibitions

  • Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation, Georgia Small Works Exhibition / Watkinsville, Georgia 2013
  • Johnson City Area Arts Council, Converging Roots (two person show) / Johnson City, Tennessee 2013
  • Spirit Show, Athens Academy / Athens, Georgia 2013
  • The Studio Group / Athens, Georgia 2012
  • Rose Center, Small Works (2 person show) / Morristown, Tennessee 2012
  • Glynn Art Association, Flights of Fancy / Saint Simons Island, Georgia 2010
  • Dolls as Messengers / Memphis Civil Rights Museum / Memphis, Tennessee 1998
  • Jekyll Island Arts Association / Jekyll Island, Georgia 2010

Juried Exhibitions

  • Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation / Watkinsville, Georgia 2001, 2010, 2011, 2012
  • Art Station, Southeast Fine Crafts Juried Exhibition / Stone Mountain, Georgia 1996
  • Clayton Street Gallery, Images of the Southeast / Athens, Georgia 1996
  • The Gallery at Cedar Hollow; Theater, Dance, Music, and Masks / Malvern, Pennsylvania 1994
  • Bobo's Monkey, Group Invitational / Atlanta, Georgia 1994
  • African American Art Museum / Madison, Georgia 1994

Juried Shows

  • Big City Bread Holiday Market / Athens, Georgia 2010-2013
  • Atlanta Dogwood Festival / Atlanta, Georgia 2000, 2013
  • Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation, Holiday Market / Watkinsville, Georgia 2000-2012
  • Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation, Southworks / Watkinsville, Georgia 2000-2012
  • The Studio Group / Athens, Georgia 2012
  • St James Court Art Show / Louisville, Kentucky 2012
  • Cedar Key Art Festival / Cedar Key, Florida 2012
  • Madison Arts Guild, Art Naturale Part 2: an exhibit at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia / Athens, Georgia 2012
  • 19th - 26nd Annual American Crafts Festival at Lincoln Center (summer) / New York, New York 1995-2002
  • 10th - 15th Annual American Crafts Festival at Lincoln Center (fall) / New York, New York 1995-2001
  • Crafts Park Avenue (winter) / New York, New York 1998-2000
  • Crafts Park Avenue (fall) / New York, New York 2000
  • Media D'Arte (winter) / New York, New York 1998-2000
  • Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival / Fairhope, Alabama 1997, 1999
  • Magic City / Birmingham, Alabama 1997, 1999
  • Artsplosure, Raleigh / North Carolina 1994, 1996,1999
  • Arts Festival of Atlanta / Atlanta, Georgia 1973, 1974, 1993, 1994, 1996
  • Artscape '96 / Baltimore, Maryland 1996, 1997
  • Bluff Park / Birmingham, Alabama 1996, 1997, 2004, 2005, 2009
  • Kentuck / Tuscaloosa, Alabama 1994, 1996

Special Exhibitions (Co-curated by Artist)

  • Woodhill Arts Exhibition / Athens, Georgia 2002-2007
  • Sister Spirits, Wunder / Athens, Georgia 2000
  • Hidden Reflections: Mirrors, Masks and Myths, Clayton Street Gallery / Athens, Georgia 1999

Publications

  • Dolls Magazine, New Faces (September 2000) / New York, New York 2000
  • Textiel Plus, "De oerwezens van Barbara Odil" (December 2002) / Netherlands 2002

Other Recognition

  • Artist in Residency / Poinsett State Park, South Carolina 2013
  • St James Court Art Show, Belgravia Section, Third Place / Louisville, Kentucky 2012
  • Southworks Artist Market, Third Place / Watkinsville, Georgia 2012
  • Madison Arts Guild, Work featured on show poster, Art Naturale / Athens, Georgia 2012
  • Work featured on Channel 4 News / New York, New York 1996
  • American Craft Marketing, Show Postcard featuring spirit doll / Slade Hill, New York 1995
  • Southex Exhibitions, Show Postcard featuring spirit doll / San Francisco, California 1995
  • OCAF Southworks Postcard / Watkinsville, Georgia 2012

Community Service

  • Athens Area Arts Council, 2010-present
  • Board member, Fundraising Co-chairperson, Northeast Georgia Sexual Assault Ctr. 2002-2005
  • St. Mary's Hospice, Hospice Volunteer 2001-2005
  • Clarke County Tree Council 2004-2006

Professional Organizations

  • Athens Area Arts Council, 2009-present
  • Bascom Gallery, 2013-present
  • Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation, 2005-present
  • Madison Artist Guild, 2012-present