Opening Reception: Julie Lake: A Mind of Winter

A Mind of Winter, opening at L.O. Gallery in Taos, NM, delves into how winter’s reflective stillness inspires the evolution of fine craft. Traditionally, as nature slows and the cold drives people indoors, artisans have embraced the season’s quietude to transform raw materials into objects of lasting beauty. The exhibition, curated by gallery owner Julie Lake, aligns with the gallery’s mission to showcase contemporary fine craft, which merges traditional skills with modern aesthetics.

The show features Lake’s own metal and ceramic works, capturing contrasts of strength and fragility. Her sculptures balance the industrial nature of stainless steel with the organic warmth of clay, each piece showcasing the transformative power of careful craftsmanship. Maine blacksmith Erica Moody’s utensils further elevate the practical into the beautiful, using traditional metalwork techniques to create objects that turn daily rituals into art. Moody’s creations encourage a tangible connection between the user and the maker, reflecting a shared joy in craftsmanship.

Colorado sculptor Chris DeKnikker contributes wood sculptures that embody winter’s deliberate pace. His obsessive attention to detail results in sculptures that suggest movement and memory, as if the wood itself retains its story. Photographer Zoë Zimmerman adds another layer to the exhibit with prints using the historic albumen coating technique that she’s adapted into her own “Zimmerman Method.” Her still-life compositions convey life and stillness simultaneously, mirroring winter’s contemplative spirit.

The exhibition honors the enduring significance of fine craft, showcasing how winter’s introspective nature pushes artists to connect deeply with their materials, transforming the mundane into the extraordinary.