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.
Figure/Figurine
April 6 through April 29, 2012
Harrison Gallery Opening Reception, First Friday, April 6, 5-9pm
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.
Lois Harbaugh Say “Tulip”, 2011 photo by Richard Nicol
Lois Harbaugh Say “Tulip”, 2011 photo by Richard Nicol (detail)
Kathleen Skeels Death Cage Tulipiere
Kathleen Skeels Death Cage Tulipiere (detail)
Margaret Ford, Basket and Hat, 2012 photo by Rob Vinnedge
Patti Warashina, Vaso da Fiori, 2012 photo by Rob Vinnedge
Mark Stromm Tulipiere
In 1637 Tulip Mania reached its peak in the Netherlands with tulip bulbs trading for astronomical prices. It was there in the 17th century in the Delft Potteries of the Netherlands that the tulip vase was born. Originally a 17th century Delft stacking form with multiple openings for displaying tulips. The Skagit Valley to the north of Seattle rivals Holland in its tulip growing fame and it is there at the Museum of Northwest Art in La Conner that ceramic artists will revisit this unique vessel form. Tulipiers or Tulip Vases , as a form, present a unique challenge and creative opportunity for ceramists. Carol Gouthro, guest curator and ceramist , invited 32 northwest ceramic artists to create Tulipiers in their own style. Museum of Northwest Art 121 South First Street La Conner, WA 98257
We thought our most successful successful solo show of 2011 deserved an encore. This show features Alex’s favorite pots from his last two firings. Alex Matisse lives and creates his work in the Mountains of Marshall NC. He apprenticed in the workshops of North Carolina potters Matt Jones and Mark Hewitt. “The pots in this collection are from the 3rd and 4th firings of my kiln. Each firing has been distinct and varied and each has had success and failures. These are a few of those success, a harmonious marriage of form and glaze and flame.
My favorite pots are those made on the good days. It is a joy when the clay, pinched between knuckle and middle finger, seems to rise off the wheel toward the sky with its own momentum and volition. The pitchers in this show were made on such a day: their weight and mass distributed perfectly.
On the bad days, when the clay is short and dry and the eye wants more than the hand can match, the hardest part is not in the mechanics but in the mind. When everything seems to elude me, staying calm and collected is the most difficult part of all. Those days come and go like the March rains we will soon see and, I’m learning, are followed by the sun.” – Alex Matisse, March 2012
There is something adventurous and exciting when you have the freedom to explore an abandoned site with memorabilia left behind, a depiction of a life once lived. This exhibition was inspired by a visit to a remote and abandoned hamlet of Bents, Saskatchewan. Artist Cathy Terepocki became fascinated by the buildings in their various states of decay as well as the artifacts left behind as a testament to a bygone rural era. Even more so, she was surprised by how many artifacts had been left knowing that in other parts of the country they would be vandalized and pilfered.
Terepocki’s desire to maintain this historical site and the belongings left behind led her to create free souvenirs for the town in the hopes that by placing the pieces out there that visitors would take a cup and leave the other objects untouched. Terepocki draws parallels between the history of ceramics, the factory made ceramic object, and the desire to preserve memory, time and experience.
Art reception and talk: Friday, March 16 @ 7:00 pm
LML Cultural Centre is located at 133 Donovel Cres (Beside South Shore Elementary School) Regina Beach Gallery Hours: Saturdays 10:30 am ~ 4:30 pm, Sunday 12:30 pm ~ 4:30 pm and Thursday 5:30-8:30 For more information, call the LML Cultural Centre at 729-4484
