by Carole Epp | Dec 21, 2009 | Uncategorized
I always like reading in bios how an artist found clay and turned a complete 180 from what they were previously doing, in William’s case a BA in International Political Economy. That magical draw of the clay is just so powerful! Well I’m sure I speak for more that myself when I say that William made the right choice as he is an incredible potter and I’m sure that this spectacular functional work is as enjoyable to use as it is to look at.
Artist Statement
As a ceramic artist I explore the potter’s wheel and the use of atmospheric firing methods as my primary tools. The dynamic interaction between the malleable, versatile clay and the steady motion of the wheel first enthralled me, and continues to challenge and humble me everyday. It is this interaction that inspires the forms I create, and which influences the movements of my hands as they meet the clay. Each piece is a record of the union of these forces.
My current work reflects my continuing attempt to find a balance between the requirements of function, and the subtle details which give a form the strength to stand alone and yet still remain receptive to the marks of the fire. I choose to create mostly functional work because I enjoy the intimacy with which these pieces can be experienced. For me, knowing that a piece of my pottery will be filled with nourishment and held closely on a daily basis only adds to the beauty of that piece and to the attention to detail it deserves. As each piece takes form between my hands one thousand thoughts fill my head; of strong form, proper function, and firing surface. I am creating not just a bowl or cup or jar, but a pot with all the possible expressions of the human personality. I form the structure, the bones, of the pot thinking ahead towards the firing chamber. Building on this structure I refine the surface until the taut skin reveals the intentional elements of the seemingly simple form. And then I send the pot into the fire, standing naked and unadorned, with only its strength to protect it and its softness to accept the flames which wrap around it.
All work is wheel thrown, altered, wood and soda fired to cone 10.
William Baker Bio
1999-2000 Finished undergraduate studies with a BA in International Political Economy
Discovered wheel-throwing and the existence of potters, began trying to make up
for “lost” time.
2002—2004 Resident Artist at the Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts, Asheville, North Carolina Discovered salt and soda firing
2005-Present Studio potter working in the mountains of Western North Carolina
2005-2006 worked with a cross draft gas/soda kiln
2007 built my wood burning cross draft soda kiln, which has allowed me to produce my mostly functional pottery and focus on the wood/soda firing process
Website:
www.williambakerpottery.com
also:
www.williambakerpottery.com/blog
www.williambaker.etsy.com
by Carole Epp | Dec 20, 2009 | Uncategorized
I have to tell you guys, it’s been a hard month here at musing…I really don’t want to winge, but I have really been struggling…struggling with not going to each and every online shop for each artist of the day and buying up a ton of pieces!!! It’s maybe a good thing that it’s December and holiday budgets are at the forefront of my mind, because otherwise I’d likely be broke – yet with a much larger ceramics collection…today’s artist again I’m sitting on my hands trying not to go and buy a piece…
Here’s the bio from Arthur:
“I was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and raised in nearby Braintree. I first discovered my love for clay while enrolled in my AP Portfolio class during senior year of high school. I received my BFA from Maine College of Art in Portland, Maine, where I started out with taking hand building freshman year and went on to throwing sophomore year. I am currently making work at Mudflat Studios in Somerville, Massachusetts. I use bisque molds with an emphasis on European Ceramics as my primary means of making.”
“The desire for creating my work comes from an inherent need to combine images of wall paper motifs with images of birds. I am drawn to that which is ornate, collectible and highly decorated in life. I love extravagance and things that are over the top bordering on almost too much. I see these as a modern day’s coming-out party where joyful expressions of ones self can be found.”
Check out more of Arthur’s gorgeous work (feel free to pick me up a piece while you’re there):
www.arthurhalvorsen.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/arthurhalvorsen
by Carole Epp | Dec 19, 2009 | Uncategorized
Maybe i’m just getting into a holiday mood lately and that’s impacting my perspective but today’s post just has a bit of a holiday feel to it. Angels and wishes and charming little birds…i don’t know…maybe it’s the spiked eggnog talking, but some of these lovely pieces would look great around the house this week.
Here’s Teri’s bio:
I’m a clay artist living on the foothills of a small southern Oregon town . I affectionately tag my art as Rustic and sometimes a touch of pure whimsy. Never striving for perfectly smooth walls, symmetrical design or lightness of my pieces. Instead I throw all caution to the wind and put full emotion and present energy into my hand building. Some days I just look at the ball of clay and begin…
Here a mix of past and present pieces-
Check out more of her work in her etsy shop here:
http://terraworks.etsy.com
by Carole Epp | Dec 18, 2009 | Uncategorized
I’m sure not many of you are strangers to the amazing Vicki Hardin and her tireless work for our ceramics community. If you are, do make sure to check out the links posted further down. Vicki has some of the best ceramic resources out there, and to boot her studio work is incredible too! Not sure how she finds the time…Enjoy.
Bio
Vicki Hardin, an established clay artist, has worked in clay for 30 years producing raku and pit fired pottery, garnering national and regional attention and praise for her work. She has shown throughout the southwest region, extensively in Texas, where she maintains her studio, Clay Art Pottery, home and family. Her pottery is currently on view at Show of Hands Gallery in Philadelphia and at her studio. In 1984 she established Clay Art Pottery at the Chicken Farm Art Center in San Angelo, where she continues to maintain a studio and gallery space. Her site is available at VickiHardin.com. She hosts the ClayArtWebGuide, an internet website and resource to those interested in clay, and the Kiln God National Ceramic Exhibition.
Artists Statement
Handbuilding is my passion. My work reflects my appreciation of the old, ancient works of a world that has moved on. The hand-built vessels are poised on a balance between primitive simplicity and grace, which I have often explored to free myself from a production ethic. Firing with alternative processes are my interest. This particular work is hand built and then bon fired. Website: VickiHardin.com
ClayArtWebGuide.com
and KilnGodNational.com[email protected]
by Carole Epp | Dec 17, 2009 | Uncategorized
Today’s post is so full of images I’m almost speechless. Well I’m actually a bit speechless at the impact of this work. When I read Leo’s email stating that this “work was about memorialization and a bit of politics of the time”, well the impact was even greater. There is a monumental overtone of sadness and unease – yet also rest, a sense of paying homage and an unsettling edge to this work. I only wish I could see it in the flesh as I’m sure it would be even more amazing. This work is from a show Leo had at the Jam Factory in Adelaide,South Australia in 2007, and a bronze sculpture on the beach from a few years earlier.
A bit of background about LEO NEUHOFER:
Education
2004 Bachelor of Visual Arts, Honours, University of SA, Underdale Campus
1987 Life drawing, Central School of Art, SA
1976 School of Art, University of SA Bachelor of Visual Arts
Professional Development
2000-2001 Residency – University of SA Ceramic Studio
2000 Residency- JamFactory Contemporary Craft and Design Ceramic Studio
1987 JamFactory Workshops
1987 Member of Central Studio Collective
1979 – 1986 Thrower, Bennett’s Magill Pottery Workshops
1978 Wood Sculpture, ST Antonin Noble Val, France
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2007 Connections, Jam Factory Contemporary Craft and Design, Adelaide, SA
2001 Translations, JamFactory Contemporary Craft and Design, Adelaide, SA
1996 Greenaway Gallery, Kenttown, SA Untitled
1994 Gargantuan Prospect Gallery, Prospect, SA
1993 Soulfairing Festival Theatre Foyer, Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide, SA
1992 Prospect Gallery Studio, Prospect, SA Untitled
1992 Christine Abrahams Gallery, Richmond Vic Untitled
Selected Group Exhibitions
2007 SA Ceramic Award ,Central Gallery, Norwood, SA
2006 Collectanea, South Australia Museum, Adelaide, SA
2005 Crockery, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA
2005 SA Ceramic Award, Central Gallery, Norwood, SA
2004 The Last Picture Show, N Gallery Uni SA Graduation Show, Underdale, SA
2002 Summer Group Show, Haeciety Art Gallery, Melbourne VIC
2001 SA Ceramic Award, Central Gallery, Norwood, SA
2001 10 years of Jamboree, JamFactory Contemporary Craft and Design, Adelaide, SA
2001 Blanc, Artspace Festival Centre, Adelaide, SA
2001 Odyssey, Adelaide, Hindley St,.SA
2001 Jamboree Clay JamFactory Contemporary Craft and Design, Adelaide, SA
2000 19th National Craft Acquisition Award, Darwin, NT
Collections
Art Gallery of South Australia, SA
City of Salisbury, SA
City of Prospect, SA
South Australian Cricket Association, SA
Artbank, NSW
City of Tea Tree Gully, SA Commissions City of Holdfast Shores, SA
City of Salisbury, SA
SA Orange Lane Market, SA
Australia Remembers – City of Prospect, SA Awards
South Australian Ceramic Award 2005
Publications
“Forms into New Bodies”, Christine Nicholls,
World Sculpture News vol; 14 no.2 spring 2008
Ceramics Art and Perception issue 61 Sept 2005
SA Ceramic Award 2001, 2005, 2007
Gold Coast Ceramic Award 1998
All work is wheel thrown, altered, wood and soda fired to cone 10.
