By Sydney Sheehan ’14, Staff Writer 

Upon walking into the McGraw Arts Gallery, students are greeted by a beautiful vase with reeds and vines bursting out of it in every which way. Each piece of art that Paul and Irene Aspell have created for the gallery is a unique combination of ceramics and the natural world. The husband and wife team have combined their respective artistic styles to create the exhibit, entitled A Marriage of Materials. Paul Aspell retired from teaching after a sixteen-year stint at the Academy, but comes back every two years to speak with IB art students, and these talks offer insight into the life of a professional artist. Mr. Aspell’s visit was especially significant this year; he emphasized his artistic partnership with his wife. While each has his/her own way of making art, they come together in unconventional, yet completely functional ways.

The process began with Mr. Aspell’s creating a ceramics piece in his distinct style. His pots have a life of their own, each one looks as if it has grown out of the earth itself. He would then hand over his creation to Mrs. Aspell, who would intuitively attach natural elements. Irene Aspell’s specialty is using the natural world as her medium. This “marriage of materials” is what makes these pieces so unique. The process of the work is almost as interesting as the finished product. From the way the couple explains it, they do not communicate about an end vision for any piece; rather, they work separately and simply end up with an unpredictable piece of art.

One particular piece, unofficially titled Headache, is a beautiful pot with antique nails piercing through its necking.  Vines are also wrapped tightly around its body. From the nails and vines – artistically representative of a headache – to its visual image as a whole, this piece of art evokes feelings from each and every viewer. This piece, along with other works on display by Paul and Irene Aspell, has a distinctive quality that the observer will not find anywhere else. Newark Academy is lucky to have relationships with such artists as the Aspells, who not only show their work to the community, but also come in and speak to interested students. It is not every day that a high school student has the chance to inquire about an artist’s choices regarding a piece and discuss them directly with the artist. This exhibit is not only beneficial to Newark Academy artists but to all Newark Academy students, allowing for a deeper appreciation of artwork.