COOKEVILLE – An exhibition of sculptural jewelry by artist Adam Hawk will be featured in Tennessee Tech University’s Joan Derryberry Art Gallery now through April 29.
Hawk is a studio artist and visiting assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He earned his Master of Fine Arts from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Bachelor of Fine Arts from Memphis College of Art.
He previously served as an assistant professor at Memphis College of Art and worked as a blacksmith at the National Ornamental Metal Museum. His work has been broadly displayed both nationally and internationally at the National Ornamental Metal Museum, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Walter Anderson Museum and the Fuller Craft Museum.
“In my youth I felt compelled to interact with and be drawn into my surroundings, and in my adult years nothing changed except the improvement of instruments and the distance of exploration,” he said. “The focus of technique and craftsmanship in metalsmithing coupled with my obsessiveness when presented a new challenge comprise the basis of how I approach the act of making.”
Recently, Hawk was included in an exhibition at the National Metal Museum titled “40 Under 40,” which is said to explore the next generation of influential American metal artists.
“The natural world guides me, and a simple rock becomes a vessel,” he said. “The body of a ghost crab becomes an alphabet. Things outside of myself control the language I use to describe my experiences.”
Center Stage events are paid by student fees and open to the public with priority seating given to students. Many guests provide additional educational opportunities for students through workshops or master classes during their residencies. Email or call Liz Kassera, Center Stage coordinator, for more information at lkassera@tentech.edu or (931) 372-3637.
The Joan Derryberry Art gallery is located in the Roaden University Center at 1000 N. Dixie Ave., Cookeville.
