“Children with their vast capacity for wonderment weave tales of gossamer, create magic kingdoms, all from meager means, passing through invisible portals to lands of untold enchantment. As we follow the Yellow Brick Road in quest of Emerald Cities, those portals become hidden to us, removing our access to the wonderland within. For me creating art is a way to return to the looking glass and reenter the garden where flowers whisper and birds can talk. I find my inner child through these beaded characters as they emerge and bring with them tales from the other side of the mirror.” ~Besty Youngquist
WALTER, vintage porcelain & glass, natural coral, mother of pearl, 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 5inches
Building anthropomorphic sculptures with contemporary and antique beads from around the world and vintage porcelain doll parts and prosthetic glass eyes, Besty Youngquist‘s expressive and vibrant work hints to her training as a painter. By combining color, texture, and pattern from minute parts she creates energetic works with lively, intricate surfaces.
EYE LILY, vintage glass, natural coral, mother of pearl, 7 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 2 inches
GEORGE, vintage porcelain & glass, seed beads, brass tube beads, 11 x 8 x 6 inches
Detail of GEORGE, The history of the world on a tortoise: Japanese brass tubing beads circa 1960’s, Czech seed beads, African red seed beads tell a story of history and travel. Beads were used as currency by many ancient cultures are still valued for their beauty in today’s world.
MADDY, vintage porcelain & glass, seed beads, hand cut turquoise beads, 12 1/2 x 5 x 3 1/2 inches
STARFISH, vintage glass, African seed beads, brass tube bead, 6 3/4 x 7 x 1 1/4 inches
Tory Folliard Gallery is pleased to be showing the amazing work of Besty Youngquist in “The Object Transcended.” Meet Beth Lipman, Betsy Youngquist, Mitchiko Itatami, and Clare Malloy, on Saturday, December 3rd during the opening reception of our December exhibition.