Exhibition showcases the work of two local artists, both of whom take the viewer back in time.
You can’t travel through time, but as a local artist worded it, art can help you get close.
Just check out the work of Barb Baur and Luka Lakuriqi, now being showcased as the first ever arts display at Prudential Bank at the corner of Frankford Avenue and Rhawn Street. The jewelry maker and sketch artist are proud to have their work on display, while showcasing different periods of time.
“The idea was to recreate Holmesburg through the ages,” Lakuriqi said. “Since time machines are hard to come by, I decided to show a slice of space through time.”
Lakuriqi’s architectural background and love of his community made him a natural choice to display his work. The Northeast Times previously wrote about Lakuriqi’s hand-drawn Mayfair-themed postcards.
On display are four sketches of historic sites in the area; the Green Tree Hotel, the King’s Highway Bridge, the Trestle and Lower Dublin Academy.
Similar to his postcards, Lakuriqi’s sketches focus on buildings that are not obvious choices to draw.
“I love everyday, local places,” he said. “Streets, storefronts, houses and where people work tell us a lot, not only about history and our neighborhood, but also ourselves and the way we relate to the world.”
Baur’s jewelry also evokes another time, but this one is much longer ago and further away — the Viking age, to be exact.
Baur creates colorful wearable pieces such as necklaces and bracelets as part of her self-owned local business, Fair Winds Jewelry. At a glance, her work may seem unmovable, but the 3D-printed pieces are made of a complex system of movable parts.
Her inspiration is a unique one — growing up, she spent 10 years living on a boat before returning to the Northeast. At first glance, her work may seem ambiguous, but upon closer inspection one could spot inspiration from the wind, sea and Viking age.
“I really love the design of traditional sailing vessels and the way they interact with water and wind,” she said.
For example, one of the larger pieces on display is a yellow to red ombré necklace that at a glance looks fragile, but is actually made of about 40 intricately connected pieces ranging from 3D-printed material to sterling silver.
“They’re pieces that make a statement,” she said with a laugh while trying on a piece that wraps around the upper arm.
The display was arranged by Denise K. Montgomery, a manager at that Prudential Bank who wanted to bring an art installation to the bank — and also Holmesburg. Lakuriqi and Baur both work at the Tacony Arts LAB and were approached to display their art.
“We wanted to be the first to kickstart it so other artists would want to do it, too,” Baur said.
Baur teaches computer-aided design at Tacony LAB and also teaches classes at Temple University’s Fox School of Art. Her work is 3D-printed, but she believes most of the work in creating jewelry comes from the designing process.
The hope is to showcase other local artists’ work in the future. For now, the current display will be shown through March 5. ••
