Curated by Ben Bates.A diverse showcase of functional and non-functional cups handcrafted by invited contemporary ceramic artists from around the United States, Canada and the UK.
To view the exhibition online and purchase visit:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25518844/OnlineCatalogueUSETHIS.pdf
Featuring new works by: Doug Jeck, Judy Fox, Cristina Cordova, Tip Toland, Arthur Gonzalez, Tom Bartel, Roxanne Jackson, Thaddeus Erdahl, Tanya Batura, and Jacob Foran
A Concurrent Independent Exhibition on the occasion of the 46th annual conference of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts.
When: March 26th- March 31, 2012
Reception Friday March 30th 6-9pm
Hours: M, W, Th 9am-5p
Tues, Friday 9am-9p
Sat. 10am-5p
Where: Seattle Design Center
Suite 292
5701 6th Ave S
Seattle, WA 98101
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The human head provides the obvious link between the work of 10 prominent ceramic sculptors featured in “A Show of Heads II” at the Seattle Design Center, in Seattle, WA, March 26th – March 31st, 2012. A more subtle unifying factor is the way in which these artists employ the head in their sculptures: essentially as a departure point for inquiry into thorny issues of human social identity, psychology and, ultimately, mortality. Where beauty arises in the exhibition it is tempered by frank acknowledgment of the liabilities inherent in the human condition. Where humor emerges, it tends to be black. Works by Tom Bartel, Tanya Batura, Roxanne Jackson and Tip Toland invoke the vulnerability of the physical body to aging, disease and arrest of such vital processes as hearing. Arthur Gonzales, Jacob Foran, and Thaddeus Erdahl reflect upon the psychological struggle fundamental to self-inquiry and the attempt to know other human beings. Cristina Cordova and Doug Jeck ponder the pathos of idealism undermined by reality, and Judy Fox insinuates the elusiveness of the inner peace promised by spiritual enlightenment. In this exhibition, curator Jacob Foran has succeeded in summarizing a deeply contemplative, psychologically introspective current in contemporary figural ceramic sculpture.
~ Glen R. Brown
For more information please contact:
Name: Jacob Foran
Phone: 217.520.2852
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.jacobforan.com
What happens when professional craft artists are allowed to let loose, when they get to explore their mischievous and irreverent sides? Find out in this groundbreaking book, which, for the very first time, reveals an entirely different side of serious craft. Hundreds of images and essays from all over the world allow you to gain insight into the creative minds of contemporary artists like never before.
A variety of traditional craft media are shown in this book, such as furniture, ceramics, glass, fiber, jewelry, and metal, as well as a number of unique, nontraditional techniques. Even a bus shelter in London gets a creative make-over that’s sure to make you smile!
The topics range from the playful to the serious, but the message is always most enjoyable. Humor in Craft is a treasure trove for craft aficionados and humor enthusiasts alike.
With a foreword by Andrew Wagner.
Essays:
Gail M. Brown: “You must be kidding…”,
Garth Johnson: “Funk’s Not Dead”,
Kathryn A. Lichti-Harriman: “Taking the Piss: Mistakes and Irony in Scottish Craft Groups”,
Marjorie Simon: “Wandering Thoughts: What’s so funny?”
Fun for all!
Purchase this book from the author directly. Request a dedication along with the author’s signature during checkout! $50 plus s/h plus taxes (USA and Canada only.)
Find our more about the book and the author, and purchase your copy here.
Brenda Lichman
The Gallery
Addison Visitors Center
5100 Belt Line Road
Addison, TX 75254
For more information
please call 214.649.9004
From the site:”The Biennale de la Céramique is a cultural event in Andenne taking place on Sunday and Whit Monday of each even year. The event, was created in 1988 and acquired over time a national and an international recognition. The event wants to revitalize the industrial ceramic history of the city and builds bridges between people and contemporary artists. During the event, and it’s extensions, all the city lives to the rhythm and colors of the ceramic : exhibition of contemporary ceramics in many places, international market of potters & ceramists, artist residency program, lectures, artists demonstrations, master classes, visits of schools, activities for children… all this find it’s proper place in the program. Concentrated around three events and a dozen places in the city, the event organized since 2006 by the Cultural Centre, has strengthened its aspect as a link between the creation and access to art including actions related to ceramics, in conjunction with the Biennale, taking place throughout the year : ceramics courses for children and adults, themed exhibitions, master classes and lectures for professionals are now also on the agenda, reinforcing the Biennale event and giving the city a true character of Ceramics City. The exhibition of contemporary ceramics shows the current trends in contemporary ceramics; the international market of potters and ceramists located on the Chapitre Square, at the foot of Ste Begge’s church, is a real moment for the visibility of the richness and originality of the ceramics of common utility; while the exhibition about the traditional and ethnic ceramics is a focus on the intercultural aspects generated by the practices of ceramics. To ensure and preserve the high artistic level of the works presented and also the novelty, a selection committee choose the participants. So nearly 50 ceramists are selected for the contemporary contemporary exhibition, with a European country often in the spotlight, and nearly 80 participants to the market. The Selection Committee is a guarantee of the variety and diversity of creation considering contemporary aspects, aesthetic, technical and originality of works. The event is also intended as a show place for students of Academies and Art schools of the country, offering to them a special exhibition space, allowing students to present their ceramic creations. There is no doubt that the Biennale de la Céramique is a reference for the professionals and an attraction for ceramics lovers from many countries.”
The other day with giddy butterflies I packed up a few pieces to ship to the Clay Studio in Philadelphia. I’m super excited and honored to be a part of their upcoming figurative exhibition, opening in April.
For many contemporary artists working in clay sculpting representations of the human figure, associations with and references to the figurine are natural. Figurines, diminutive tabletop sculptures, representing man and or beast have lived in almost every home globally, regardless of place, culture or time. Early clay examples date back some 30000 years. Throughout time these figures have represented many things. From fertility icons to religious symbols, common man to Kings, from singular figures to ornate and complex compositions, these intimate sculptures commemorate(d) everyday and heroic acts, modern day folk and pop cultural figures, and historically significant events. Artists participating in Figure/Figurine include Christyl Boger, Jeremy Brooks, Anna Noel, Kensuke Yamada, Carole Epp, Beth Lo, Mathew Groves and Mara Superior. Each of these makers uses the history of the figurine to create works that live comfortably in our contemporary world.
Visit the Clay Studio website for more details.
And also upcoming in April is my next sale. I work with a collective in Saskatoon organizing fun craft events, coffee nights, DIY nights, and market sales. Our next one will be on April 13th and 14th. Make sure to check out the flock and gather blog in the next few weeks for artisan profiles and event details.
