FIRST FRIDAY April at Area 61 Gallery | METALMORPHOSIS by Allen Hampton

Featured at Area 61 Gallery for FIRST FRIDAY April is the latest 3D and sculpture body of work by Allen Hampton.

METALMORPHOSIS: A complete change of form, structure or substance – In this case, changing everyday discarded metal objects into symbols that express ideas or concepts.

WHEN: FIRST FRIDAY, Friday 4/1/16 | 5:30-8:30pm

WHERE: Area 61 Gallery | 61 E. Main Street, Chattanooga TN (Southside District)

About the artist:

ALLEN HAMPTON

Allen began working in metal in 1998 after taking a welding course at a local technology center. Already an accomplished pottery and ceramics artist, he signed up for a Computer Aided Design Course to expand his design skills, but the class was cancelled, so he took a welding course instead thinking it would be fun.

Allen finds birds, insects, reptiles fascinating with their amazing variations and unique features. He also enjoys manipulating the human form. When starting a new piece, he looks through scrap piles until something attracts his attention. Using the piece (or pieces) that spark his imagination as a starting point, he begins selecting other shapes that fit with an idea. Working quickly at this stage, he often has several “sketches” going at the same time. He leaves all of the pieces and sketches lying on the ground until he feels he has a nice selection to choose from and a concept laid out. At that point, he picks the one he thinks has the most potential and starts working - cutting, welding, blasting and painting.

Allen says he "tries to listen to that small voice in his head that tells him what to do next and makes great effort not to make judgments on what he is doing." This intuitive process often changes or further develops his original idea and he adds "when things go well, he is often surprised with the results".

- Stop by First Friday, 4/1/16, to meet Allen and our other local artists in the area 61 gallery community.

* FIRST FRIDAY Chattanooga is a monthly chance to connect and see what's new in our city's vibrant artist community. The First Friday of each month, participating Chattanooga downtown galleries & artist studios extend their hours, host openings, receptions and "meet the artists" events.*

AND...

for other First Friday art opportunities in the area, visit, "Like" & follow First Friday Chattanooga - The Arts at http://www.facebook.com/FirstFridayChattanoogaArts