Carol Cole’s one-of-a-kind sculpture and folding screens
are compelling and enigmatic. They appear to be made of something
heavy and ancient, but closer inspection reveals that they only
weigh a few pounds and incorporate familiar contemporary objects.
From rusty hardware to computer hardware, Carol creates elegant
beauty from the everyday.
A former potter, Carol Cole pats handfuls of cotton paper pulp
on a sturdy armature. She creates strong textures by impressing
patterns into the thick pulp and by covering actual objects with
wet, freshly made sheets of paper. Multiple layers of paint protect
the work, enhance the textures, and create a patinaed surface.
The possibilities of size, shape, and color are limitless.
Even the large sculptures and folding screens are easily moved
and shipped and the wall pieces can be hung on any kind of wall.
The pieces are quickly cleaned with a feather duster or a hair
dryer.
Carol studied history, art history and anthropology at Stanford
University and has master’s degrees from Harvard and Syracuse.
Her art is inspired by the works of anonymous ancient and tribal
artists; like them, she strives to create archetypal forms that
speak an abstract universal language.
Carol Cole’s work has been in many national and regional
exhibitions and is in numerous private and corporate collections.
She enjoys commissions, especially when she can incorporate objects
related to or provided by the client.
Carol maintains a large inventory of sculpture in her spacious
Philadelphia studio and invites you to visit if you will be in
the area.
All photos by Jack Ramsdale
