By Shanece Brent, Staff Writer

Published in print Nov.12 ,2014

Though UNCG student Emily Dolce is a junior Studio Art major with a concentration in Painting, she strongly believes that “learning how to work in different mediums allows for noticeable growth as an artist.”

This belief has steered Dolce towards work in ceramics, work which has led to her involvement the “Broken Dishes” exhibition at the African American Atelier in downtown Greensboro.

“As an artist, you must always keep an ear open for any galleries calling for submissions,” Dolce said. In the case of the “Broken Dishes” exhibit, Dolce was notified by fellow student and artist Roshawn Hill, who is also in the show for his pottery.

“I began to reflect on artwork that best exemplified my current work, while still correlating it with the theme/title, ‘Broken Dishes.’” In the end, Dolce choose “Temptations” and “Rage”, two ceramic pieces with deep meaning and detail.

One of Dolce’s pieces featured at the Atelier gallery, entitled “Rage”.

“I wanted to portray not only the defeat and the weight temptation may have on us, but also the contrast between the beauty of free will and the burden of seduction,” Dolce said of “Temptations.”

“Rage” was inspired by the feelings most of us experience throughout our lives. “Personally, I believe we all deal with rage, whether it is firsthand or secondhand. Though I may not be an angry person, I was able to reflect on how I have been treated before, or how I may treat people and not even realize it,” Dolce said.

Dolce’s ceramic sculptures are highly detailed and intense, despite the fact that she only began working  seriously in ceramics last year. “Each piece took about two or three weeks to complete, but I spent several hours a day working on them,” Dolce said.  “Clay as a medium can become tricky if not consistently worked with, because it can dry out and make it difficult to continue building.”

Even with the challenges, Dolce has created two great pieces, with more on the way: “Rage” is part of a series on the seven deadly sins that Dolce is currently working on. “The other six sculptures are currently in the making. ‘Lust’ will be the next piece I plan to show. I look forward to showing them all together when completed,” Dolce said.

As for future plans, Dolce has a lot in mind. “I am generating a lot of material in hopes of showing my work in future exhibitions, as well as preparing for my senior year and completing a solid portfolio for graduate school,” she said. 

As to her goal as an artist, she explains: “To inspire my audiences to reflect on their lives just as I reflect on mine while creating my pieces.”

To contact Emily Dolce about her art or ask questions about her work, she can be reached by email, at endolce@uncg.edu.