“Objects of Affection”

Heidi Vaughan Fine Art

January 19 - February 16, 2019

HEIDI VAUGHAN FINE ART
3510 Lake Street
Houston, Texas 77098
www.heidivaughanfineart.com

Objects of Affection is a body of work reflecting the artist’s passion for making sculpture. Contained within the exhibition are pieces devoted to different themes, all of which are connected with love. Hearts are Budge’s most common signifier, which she uses to reference various aspects of affection. Summed up by Kahlil Gibran, “… be wounded by your own understanding of love… and meditate love’s ecstasy.” Mystery is expressed in her work, Eros, and maternal love in Eye Spy. Passion is revealed in Ecstasy, and paid in Why Cry. Respect for nature occurs in Harvey, the personification of a storm. Other works investigate psychological influences and meditative impulses.

The physical, sensual, and direct qualities of clay have challenged Budge throughout her long career. Her work serves as a catharsis in times of turmoil, a salve during stable times. Kandinsky said that “Everything has a secret soul which is silent more often than it speaks.” Budge uses that statement as a reference, an expression through form.

Budge has been making ceramic sculpture for forty years. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Texas Tech University, a Master of Arts degree from the University of Houston Clear Lake, and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Budge has been in hundreds of exhibitions, and is included in important private collections in the United States, Australia, Germany, Greece, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. Her sculptures can be found in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian, the Fuller Craft Museum, the Honolulu Museum of Art, the Daum Museum of Contemporary Art, the San Antonio Museum of Art, the San Angelo Museum of Art, the Art Museum at Northern Arizona State University, the Art Museum of South Texas, and the New Orleans Museum of Art. In addition to these, Budge has completed six public commissions, and received numerous awards, honors, grants, and residencies. Prior to returning to Houston, she was a tenured professor at San Antonio College. She currently teaches ceramics at Art League of Houston and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s Glassell School.