by Carole Epp | Jan 19, 2010 | Uncategorized
For starters I just wanted to thank everyone for the amazing comments the other day. So nice to have some feedback and encouragement : )
This week I didn’t get very far with any of the functional work as I had a moment of fearful realization of exactly how soon my next deadline is for my sculptural work, so I’ve been focused on that every waking moment. Pieces are rush drying on the top of a hot kiln as we speak. I figured so that I kept up with my resolution that I’d post a sneak peek of some of those pieces in progress. I’ll update more very soon as well about where they’re going in case anyone has the desire and accessibility to see them in person.
I also had a great skype chat with an amazing friend and artist last night and as always when I chat with her I got some good serious questions to ask myself. Always good to have a friend that will be honest with you and challenge you. So I’ve got alot to think about in the next little while, especially some thoughts about the sculptural work and the concept behind representing political/social subject matter, how negative the work is sometimes read and if that’s at all effective anymore, especially seeing how much the world and our perspectives have actually changed in the last 6 years since I started the project. I’m starting to think that maybe I’ve been a bit on auto pilot, pumping out pieces without challenging the concept and intent of each enough…more on that at a later time though…right now my head is in a cloud, much like this little man:
As I mentioned last time I’m also working on more of the sculptural vase pieces so here’s a shot of the last one I made, which I’m really unhappy with as it reads simply as a cut bowl on it’s side. I opened the form too much in an attempt to get a larger size and that ruined it in my opinion. However it does give me a bit of hope as to playing around with scale and displaying various sized pieces together to accentuate the relationships between them and the interesting negative spaces that are created. I’m starting to think that I really need to start working with some larger molds, even if that means that components are repeated. More cut and paste as well to remove the pieces from being ‘in the round’. Cutting one side just isn’t cutting it (ha!)…. I think they could be far more dramatic if they were visibly more unstable and cut on different axises. By the way the paint brushes represent where the flower stems would be.
by Carole Epp | Jan 18, 2010 | call for entry, emerging artist, job posting, monday morning eye candy, movie day, residency opportunity, show us your influences, technical tuesday
JUNIORS, SENIORS, and GRADUATES ONE-YEAR OUT
$300 BEST OF SHOW AWARD
Postmark Deadline for Entry: March 5, 2010
Manifest seeks to energize students and recent graduates of art and design programs towards higher goals, professionalism, and public-mindedness. Therefore, for a sixth year in a row, we offer this challenge to students and their professors in regional and national college programs to show us what you’ve got, bring it off campus, and share it with the everyday viewing public. We believe there exists tremendous unexposed quality amongst people pursuing degrees in art and design. Revealing young genius is part of our mission!
NOW OPEN TO JUNIORS AND RECENT GRADUATES!
Manifest’s is now seeking submissions for the Rites of Passage 2010 exhibit.
All submissions must be postmarked or emailed no later than March 5, 2010.
One exhibit featuring the best work from artists about to receive or recently awarded an undergraduate degree from a regional, national, or international college art or design program. All entrants must have received or be scheduled to receive a college degree in 2009, 2010, or 2011, and provide an academic reference’s contact info.
Exhibit awards may range from one-room solo shows to group exhibits assembled at the discretion of the Manifest jury and curator. The exhibit curator will decide all final exhibit assignments and gallery layouts.
Entrants are encouraged to utilize this opportunity to propose and present thesis exhibits if this is acceptable to their institution of study. The Rites of Passage exhibits may also serve as a recap, or as a supplement to campus thesis presentations.
Media: Work submitted may be in any media, including painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, video, digital imagery, etc.
Catalog: Manifest will produce a full-color catalog documenting the work in Rites of Passage. Exhibitors will receive one free copy of the catalog. For examples of past catalogs visit the Manifest Press library.
CASH AWARD: A $300 Best of Show prize will be awarded.
Delivery and Return of Work: All work accepted for the exhibition must arrive ready to install. Works not gallery-ready, or not exhibiting good craftsmanship, may be omitted from the exhibit. Accepted work that differs significantly from the entry images or suffers from poor presentation, will be disqualified. Work may be hand delivered or shipped. Shipped works must be sent in a reusable container with return shipping prepaid. Works will be returned in the same manner as delivered or via UPS/USPS. Works will be insured while on gallery premisis. All work must arrive at Manifest by the specified date (see deadlines link). Accepted work must remain on display for the duration of the exhibition.
INSURANCE: Works will be insured while on gallery premises. Insurance covers theft, vandalism, damage caused by gallery patrons or staff (in accordance with insurance policy). PLEASE NOTE: Insurance does not cover damage caused during shipping due to any reason, including mishandling by carrier or failure of packaging to protect works in transit. Also not covered is damage caused to work by failure of the work itself, its mounting systems installed by the artist, or disintegration or degradation due to the nature or quality of materials or craftsmanship.
Entry Fee: $30 non-refundable entry fee for an unlimited number of works entered per artist. Entry fee must be paid by check or money order made payable to MANIFEST, or by credit card via PayPal.
FOR ALL THE DETAILS AND ENTRY FORMS VISIT THE WEBSITE HERE.
Manifest Creative Research Gallery and Drawing Center
RITES OF PASSAGE 2010
P.O. Box 6218
Cincinnati, OH 45206
e-mail [email protected] with questions
by Carole Epp | Jan 15, 2010 | call for entry, emerging artist, job posting, monday morning eye candy, movie day, residency opportunity, show us your influences, technical tuesday
The Saskatchewan Craft Council, the Manitoba Crafts Council and the Alberta Craft Council are joining together to organize a major touring exhibition of craft from Canada’s three Prairie Provinces. 12 Craft Artists from each Province will have work selected for the exhibition. Prairie Excellence will tour across the Prairies and Canada and into the United States for a three year period. Exhibition fees will be paid, and work is underway to secure corporate sponsorship for major prizes. The entry deadline is noon, May 31, 2010. The attached brochure provides detailed information on this exciting opportunity.
by Carole Epp | Jan 13, 2010 | call for entry, emerging artist, job posting, monday morning eye candy, movie day, residency opportunity, show us your influences, technical tuesday
Early Bird discount deadline: February 15
The Works Art & Design Festival is a 13 day event that showcases a wide variety of emerging and professional artists from all genres. In 2009, approximately over 290,000 people attended The Works Art & Design Festival which featured over 500 artists in The Works Festival exhibits and Art Market. The Works will celebrate its 25th Anniversary June 25th to July 7th 2010.
The Works is now accepting applications to take part in The Works Art Market. Selected artisans have three options. First a 10 x 10 tent, second a table in a tent shared with other artisans, and third space in The Works Consignment Tent. Tents are provided by The Works at no cost to you. If you are selected to participate in The Works Art Market you will receive the benefits of exposure to The Works Festival audience of over 290,000, promotion in The Works marketing campaign worth over $250,000, and the value of being associated with the largest FREE festival of its kind in North America. The Works extended marketing campaign and media partners include Global TV and The Edmonton Journal. For The Works Art Market application form please follow the link below.
If you have any questions please contact Glyn Evans-Percy at 780 426 2122 ext. 234 or [email protected]
For a 20% Early Bird discount please apply before February 15. www.theworks.ab.ca/societyfolder/calls
by Carole Epp | Jan 13, 2010 | Uncategorized
So I made the resolution and already people are going to hold me to it. Damn it why did I post about it on the internet….okay here’s some initial pics of some playing around in the studio. I’ve come to a few realizations this week. First, that when I was a grad student and developed this work:
My approach was to start with an idea, a concept and then find the voice through form and aesthetic to communicate that underlying structure of the work. It was grad school, you had to justify everything (and with good reason), but does that float in the “real world”?
So i’m at a point in my career where I have to accept that money pays the bills and conceptual baggage attached to work doesn’t pull on the heartstrings or pocket book of the consumer that will allow me to eat. Does that mean I’ve lost all my idealism about art and it’s values and my role as an artist to engage all of the senses, and most importantly engage the mind? Does the almighty dollar mean that i bow to the masses and create a version of what sells the best on etsy?
Sigh…i don’t want to go there. But I also realize that there is a difference between making art that is marketable and art that you could care less if it is marketable. There has to be a grey area that incorporates the two. no?
So I find myself working on creating some pieces that I feel (hope) will be more marketable, but then I feel like I’ve lost my distinct voice that I worked so hard to achieve through my grad project. I tried so hard to develop a form that wasn’t seen here and there and everywhere. But maybe i kid myself in thinking that the work was that unique. I’ve never been one to believe in original thought, only watered down and altered versions of what already exists….anyhow, this has led me to decide to continue down a path i began last year with these forms:
which in essence were a more sculptural approach, yet still a derivative of the more functional porcelain work of earlier. So we’ll see where that goes. There is a very large version sitting drying right now in the studio which i’ll try to show you in the next few days.
In the meantime below are some attempts at something else in the functional vein. I’ve long avoided any surface imagery as I’m a poor illustrator and I’m trying to avoid using decals (not that I don’t love them, just don’t want to go there yet.) But after recent chats with a local potter and good friend of mine whose work has color and imagery on it, i’ve come to realize that imagery is a way in for an audience. They can easily relate and they are more often compelled by a single object out of the collection of your work that speaks to their own personal narrative. Is it manipulative for me to think of this and to try to take advantage through incorporating some imagery into my work? hmmm. Anyway I’ve got some pencils sharpened and some tracing paper at hand to work and rework ideas so we’ll see where that goes as well. The following are more for glaze tests so be kind, they are a world apart from my other work i know; but thoughts and criticism is always appreciated.
