Baltimore artist Joyce Scott incorporates various media to make statements about politics, violence against women, slavery and America’s tumultuous history. (Photo: Qcitymetro.com)

The art tackles heavy topics: politics, violence against women, slavery, America’s tumultuous history.

Art can do that. It can push, pull and goad us to go places we’re not always prepared to go. Joyce Scott’s work does that, but not in the typical mediums.

Scott is an internationally renowned artist who creates ornate jewelry, beaded sculptures, handmade quilts and glasswork to critique American culture and history. In doing so, she challenges us to see craft art as more than a pretty vase or beaded necklace, but also as a form of social commentary.

Scott’s work is featured at the McColl Center for Visual Art through March 20.

The exhibit is titled “Recall,” and it is the Baltimore native’s first Charlotte solo exhibition. Ce Scott, the McColl Center’s director of residencies and exhibitions, handpicked all of the pieces in the exhibit.

“Recall” is split into three gallery display that offer a chronology of Joyce Scott’s work. Ce Scott chose works that represented the depth and growth of Joyce Scott’s artistry.

Ce Scott encourages visitors to look at all of the individual pieces, but also take a moment to stand in the middle of the exhibit and see how the pieces interact with each other. The artists has a rhythm to her work, and Ce Scott said she tried to capture that rhythm in the way she staged the exhibit.

“I like to think of the pieces as having a conversation with one another,” Ce Scott said. “Also it gives the viewer some sort of insight into how Joyce thinks, how she approaches different subject matters and her range.”

Scott is known in some circles as a performance artist. Others know her for her beadwork, such as beaded sculptures, and mastery of the Native American Peyote stitch.

She learned quilting from her mother, Elizabeth Talford Scott, a renowned textile artist. At age 61, Joyce Scott, who lives in Baltimore, continues to find new ways to express herself through art. She now uses glass and prints. What makes her even more unique is that she often uses a variety of media in one craft piece.

She uses beads unlike anything typically found in craft shows. For example, “Joyce’s Necklace” is a large beaded necklace that incorporates photographs and trinkets that have been given to Scott. It is a narrative of her life, Ce Scott said.

The McColl curator said Scott uses a variety of media because no single media can express what she feels about a particular topic. Joyce Scott has plenty to say about gender, pop culture, history and heritage. Her commentary isn’t limited to talking about the outside world. She examines herself as well. Scott has African-American, American Indian and Scottish ancestry.

Her social commentary is one of the primary reasons Ce Scott created “Recall.” She wanted to show visitors that craft art can also be used to address social issues.

“People rarely think craft can be beautiful and also address really important issues,” she said. “We accept it in painting and in photography. For whatever reason we tend not to even think that’s possible in craft.”

The works in “Recall” make it easy to appreciate craft art as more than simply necklaces and pretty bowls. For example, the “Many Faces of Love” incorporates African masks and beads to challenge viewers to think about the things they hold dear. Scott’s work is beautiful and arresting. The key to appreciating her artistry is to dig beyond the pretty colors and images to really see the work.

IF YOU WANT TO GO:
Where: McColl Center for Visual Art (721 North Tryon Street)
Hours: Tues - Sat, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Phone:(704) 332-5535
Web address: www.mccollcenter.org

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