EXHIBIT | HAWK GALLERIES

Bold colors accent glass creations

Sunday, March 15, 2009 7:36 AM

BY JACQUELINE HALL For The Columbus Dispatch

Stephen Powell never ceases to dazzle with the rich color and the audacity of form in his blown-glass sculptures.

"Zoned Out," the latest series in his exploration of asymmetrical forms, is on view in Hawk Galleries. Also displayed in the Downtown gallery are selections from his "Whacko" series and some of the tall, straight-necked vessels that began this vein of exploration a decade ago. T

The show's 13 pieces are large, boldly colored, extravagantly patterned and organically shaped. Each is a technical tour de force.

The straight-necked vessels, including Screeching Cherry Cheeks and Cheeky Lurking Confidence, have symmetrical, bulbous and sensuous bodies that seem to beg to be caressed.

The pieces in the "Whacko" series are much different. They move away from traditional form and symmetry and take on a weird, animal like appearance. In Cherry Puffy Puff and Sultry Zealous Pulse, long, thin necks become supports for the bodies, giving the feel of suspended animation.

In the "Zoned Out" series, Powell's asymmetrical body has acquired a strong, birdlike shape with an extra-long and sinuous neck. In Winking Manic Tease and other works, the evolution to forms that resemble large, strange birds or other animals has also resulted in dramatic changes to the colorful patterns on the surface of the glass. Powell relies on a traditional Venetian technique that consists of using as many as 2,500 small pieces of colored glass (murrini) during the glass-blowing process. Patterns expand and shift, creating fantastic effects on the work.

A superb colorist who studied painting as an undergraduate student, Powell mixes color with flair, giving irrepressible animation to his sculptures. In his asymmetrical pieces, some of the murrini expand like eyes close to the necks, accentuating the play of light and color within the sculptures.

His daring technique and imagination are fascinating.

"Stephen Powell: Zoned Out" continues through April 1 in Hawk Galleries, 153 E. Main St. Hours: 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Call 614-225-9595 or visit .

Winking Manic Tease 40.25 x 26.5 x 16.5 inches