by Carole Epp | Apr 22, 2009 | Uncategorized
I know it looks like knitting, and it is…but it’s also fired ceramics! No April fool’s I promise. This gorgeous work is by Helen Martin who I was lucky enough to study with when I was over in Australia a few years back. This body of work she’s been producing is so interesting in how it combines the time consuming processes of both knitting and ceramic work. Knitted objects are so enticingly tactile to me, as are ceramics I guess, but I love the trick these pieces play with the expectations of the viewer.
Here’s her artist statement about the work:
“Does your mother knit? Did your granny crochet?
My work celebrates the making process. The act of making takes me out of the present, into a gentle space where I can daydream to my heart’s content. This love of making is the common thread that ties me to other women and other generations in my family.
The need to make is closely connected to the needs of the domestic environment and nurturing a family, but it serves also to nurture and satisfy the self. Essentially, we, as makers of objects, are also making time – time for ourselves.
I make textile-like ceramic objects, bowl and plate forms, that are, in fact, twice made. Firstly, in relaxation mode, I knit and crochet simple forms from pure wool – square, rectangular, round. I then soak these in glaze, dry them, and fire them in the kiln. The wool burns out leaving the detail captured in glaze. It is this transformation, accompanied by its inherent technical challenges that drives me and excites me.”
If you’re in Melbourne make sure you take the time to see her work in person at her exhibition at NORTHCOTE POTTERY SUPPLIES Pan Gallery, which runs from May 1 to 27, opening reception on April 30th. Check out their website or blog for more info. Guest speaker is Kevin Murray, well worth the trip out.
Images are by Stuart Hayes, ANU Photography
by Carole Epp | Apr 21, 2009 | Uncategorized
I first came across Jeff’s work on one of my many procrastinating days in front of the computer (often spend browsing through etsy, i’ll admit it!) I was really drawn to the minimalism and repetition in the pattern of his forms and how they still evoke movement. I love how they play with light and shadow. Thus I was happy to get the opportunity to share it with you during Artist of the Day Month (which is already more than half over…so sad!)
So here’s a bit about the work from Jeff himself:
“The work is slip cast and made of stoneware clay. The textures grew out of a desire to make an ergonomic handle for the Braille mug a little over 10 years ago. How to incorporate them into usable vessels has been an ongoing challenge.
I decided to make Braille pots in the 1980’s after participating in various art fairs and seeing the occasional blind person visit the booth and interact with handcrafted pottery. (While their sighted friend described the work.) I thought a pot that spoke directly to a blind person was needed. I introduced Sixdot Braille Products in 1998.”
Please make sure to check out more of Jeff’s work at his etsy shop www.jefflongtin.etsy.com
by Carole Epp | Apr 21, 2009 | Uncategorized
I’ve just received an email stating that the artist “Matthias Ostermann ended his battle with HIV induced lymphoma yesterday at Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal. As was his wish there will be no memorial, although celebrations of his life are encouraged. A full obituary graciously written and provided by his longtime friend and art dealer Suzann Greenaway is available on PRIME’s website.”
There are also images of an exhibition of his work at Prime from January of this year.
Photographs of Matthias Ostermann and his work are available at his web site as well at www.matthiasostermann.com
by Carole Epp | Apr 20, 2009 | call for entry, emerging artist, job posting, monday morning eye candy, movie day, residency opportunity, show us your influences, technical tuesday
Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., a leading publisher of art-quality reference, art, and design books, is
calling for images for an upcoming new reference book, Ceramics Today. We are looking for
beautiful, professional quality photography of your current artwork in ceramics. All materials
submitted will be reviewed and either a letter of acceptance will be sent or, if the material isn’t
suitable for this project, the return of the materials sent will be forthcoming.
Contributors are also credited on the page with the photo caption information, the introductory
information about themselves, as well as in listings providing each artist’s contact information.
For each artist participating, we need:
1. A brief description of your work and the techniques employed for use in the text of the book for each item submitted.
2. Examples of the various forms of ceramic art you create, captured in any of the following formats: slides; digital imagery, requiring an image with 400 dpi JPG in Adobe RGB color mode at a 4” x 6” size in the raw or fine data format; transparencies; or glossy 4” x 6” or larger photographs. All materials need to be properly identified for return once the project is complete. These need to be high quality images you would be proud to enter into any juried art show … considering they will be in print for some time to come throughout the United States, as well as in England, Italy, and Japan. Materials accepted for the book remain safely with the publishing house until the book is finished and are then returned to the contributors, after approximately 6 months after receipt of the final contribution.
3. Caption: Artist’s name, title of art, identification of object form, media, technique, measurement, date, courtesy line as needed (i.e. both contributor’s and photographer’s credit).
4. Please provide a return address so your materials may be returned when this project is complete and identify each image with your name.
For more information, please contact:
Jeffrey B. Snyder
Schiffer Publishing
4880 Lower Valley Road
Atglen, PA 19310 USA
Ph: 610-593-1777 / Fax: 610-593-2002
www.schifferbooks.com
[email protected]
by Carole Epp | Apr 20, 2009 | Uncategorized
“Parched,” triptych of hand built stoneware clay forms, each 5 ½” x 5” x 2 ½”, 2008.
I was instantly taken by Anna Freeman’s work when it turned up in my mailbox. Not only are her works terribly evocative of the beauty of the clay material, but her subject matter is moving and puts the viewer in a place where they can’t hide or avoid the issues she presents.
Here’s a bit from her artist statement:
“My work draws attention to a range of issues, including food-borne pathogens, monoculture, irrigation and water shortage, the use of corn for fuel production, and colony collapse disorder in honeybees: a syndrome that has caused massive die-offs of these vital pollinators. Through my work, I hope to generate a deeper contemplation about the sources of our food, its processing, and its impact on the environment and our bodies.”
Take the time to have a look through the work on her website. She’s created an interesting dynamic between presenting the charged subject matter in a material that is a part of the debate – the land – and serves up her subject matter relating to food on the objects themselves upon which we eat. There is also some great tile work and make sure you find the delicate slipcast “waste” pieces, they’re some of my favorites.
