by Carole Epp | Sep 3, 2010 | Uncategorized
“The Journal of Modern Craft covers all aspects of craft as its exists within the condition of modernity (conceived as roughly from the mid-19th century to the present day) without geographical or disciplinary boundary. The journal is published 3 times a year by Berg Publishers. This website features responses, notices and short contributions relevant to the journal.”
While your there make sure to read the feature article Virtual Guilds: Collective Intelligence and the Future of Craft by Leonardo Bonanni and Amanda Parkes from issue 3.2A great website to stay current on the contemporary climate of craft disciplines and relevant theory and context. Check them out here.
by Carole Epp | Sep 2, 2010 | Uncategorized
Oh seriously who am I kidding, I think it’s only been my family that’s been wondering what’s up. And no, I would not announce on my blog the news of new additions to the family or similar such things…so rest assured it’s nothing that thrilling.
The news is sadly shameless self promotion, yup even I have to pay the bills sometimes folks. The glamorous life of a blog writer is just not all it’s cracked up to be : )
So here’s the deal: I’ve got a show coming up at the Sask Craft Council that I’m super excited about. Not only am I showing in my hometown, I’m also showing with two artists whose work I greatly admire – Jody Greenman-Barber and Robin Lambert – but on top of all that lately it’s also been a bit of a private anniversary for me. It’s silly really but in August of 2005 I graduated from Grad school, so this year is my 5 year anniversary of living in the ‘real’ world as an artist. Maybe it’s silly, but maybe it’s not. Sometimes we have to take note of our achievements, and not belittle the trials, risks and challenges that we’ve undertaken to get to where we are. Sure I would like my career to be further along at this point. But realistically i’d say it’s not so bad. I’m not working a crappy job instead, so I must be doing something right.
Oops I’m steering off course so before I go too over the top sentimental and lose you all, if I haven’t already (mom and dad I know you’re still here reading) my big announcement today is that in celebration of the last five years that I’ve been working on my Collection of Small Miseries series, I’m putting together a small self-produced publication highlighting pieces from the last few years. This publication will be launched at the upcoming exhibition.
Now I know some of you know about this already from the blog, facebook, etc., but what you don’t know is that for the rest of the month I’m going to be offering pre-orders of the publication at a discount of 20%.
As it sits right now (i’m in the final stages of editing) the publication will be a lovely 30 page full color, soft cover book. There will be over 70 color images of pieces from the collection from 2005 to 2010, plus a bit of text and quotes taken from my thesis/artist statement.
In fact here’s a sneak peek!
Of course two lucky people who contributed their opinion of their favorite will be randomly selected to win a free copy. You still have a chance to be one of these people – find out more here.
So if you’re interested in a copy you can purchase pre-orders here. The books will ship in early October.
by Carole Epp | Aug 26, 2010 | Uncategorized
So i’m working away on the computer as usual. Why am I never in the studio? Why? Sigh. Anyway…there’s good news. I’m working on a small self-published publication (read iphoto book) that I’m going to be launching at my next gallery exhibition (october) and selling online (asap).
Here’s the problem, I’ve been making figurines since 2005 and there are too many to chose from. So I’m calling on all of you for help! I’ve got my favorites narrowed down, but my favorites and everyone else’s favorites sometimes differ. So you now have the opportunity to have your say.
Vote for your favorite (or favorites) figurine by checking out www.caroleepp.com and browsing through the many years of figurines and then simply drop me a line at [email protected] or in the comments of this post telling me your favorite piece and you could be well on your way to winning a copy of the publication once it is released.
Sound good? 2 readers will be randomly selected and contacted for contact details (or feel free to include those in your email). Post this far and wide, I need some help! Too many to chose from!
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES is September 5th 2010
Seriously, who doesn’t love free stuff?
by Carole Epp | Aug 22, 2010 | Uncategorized
Work by 12 Saskatchewan Fine Craft artists was selected for the prestigious exhibition Prairie Excellence: The Today and Tomorrow of Prairie Craft. The 35 piece exhibition features the work of craft artists from Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta. It will be touring nationally and internationally for 3 years as a showcase for craft from the Canadian prairies. 267 entries were received by the selection committee, which consisted of Helen Delacretaz, Chief Curator and Curator of Decorative Arts at The Winnipeg Art Gallery; Karen Schoonover, Director/curator of the Art Gallery of Regina; and Mary-Beth Laviolette, independent curator, critic and author from Canmore, Alberta. Prairie Excellence will open at the Alberta Craft Council Gallery in Edmonton on October 2, 2010. The Saskatchewan unveiling will be at the Affinity Gallery (813 Broadway Avenue, Saskatoon) on January 14. Negotiations for future showings are underway with galleries in Canada and the United States. The exhibition is a joint project organized by the Saskatchewan Craft Council, the Alberta Craft Council, and the Manitoba Craft Council.For more info and images of Artists work please visit the Saskatchewan Craft Council Website.
by Carole Epp | Aug 21, 2010 | Uncategorized
The Northerners:
Does Canadian ceramics have a unified identity, or does the immense physical and cultural geographies make the question of identity much more intricate and diverse? This current show is an endeavor to find common threads if any by exploring works of six Canadian artists, unified by their excellence in craft and individuality in art. There are nuances of calmness and serenity; simplicity and under-stated references to nature in the collected works. Is that the collective Canadian approach? This show is designed, not to offer conclusive answers but to stir up the original question. Robert Archambeau, Manitoba
Sheila Clennell, Ontario
Tony Clennell, Ontario
Bruce Cochrane, Ontario
Harlan House, Ontario
Cathi Jefferson, British ColumbiaShow runs August 20th to September 10th
Via AKAR DESIGN
So it would be much easier for me to simply post this exhibition information and remain quiet…maybe I should. I have an enormous respect for the work of AKAR and it’s staff. I truly believe that they show amazing ceramic art and are a force within the art community and the maker community which is creating value and presence for handmade craft in contemporary culture and marketplace. I also have a large amount of respect for the artists represented in this Northerners exhibition. That being said, I feel that there is a conversation presented by AKAR within this exhibition that should be addressed and discussed by Canadian ceramic artists and international artists as well. What is our identity? Do we have one? Do we need one? Do other countries have one? Did we not get the memo that we needed one?
Personally I feel that this is a question/comment that has been put forth in the past regarding the Canadian scene as a manner in which to attempt at understanding Canadian ceramics, which have potentially been neglected a bit due to their proximity to America. Even a shallow look at the contemporary Canadian ceramic scene shows a wealth of skill, approach and perspectives towards craft. So much so that could never be summed up simply. Could any other country’s ceramic craft production be summed up similarly?
I do not even begin to suggest that AKAR is attempting to find a conclusion to this question, nor do I believe that they should. Great in fact that they asked the question, i guess. But I do have to wonder about an exhibition which posses the question while exhibiting solely functional based works by a limited geographical region, (4 out of 6 from Ontario? We do have 10 provinces and 3 territories), and without much variety in generational perspectives. While there are many Canadian ceramic artists engaging with what makes Canada, well Canada, gorgeous nature, diversity, tradition, etc. There are also many who engage critically and conceptually with other diverse and more universal subject matter. I’m not trying to upset with these comments, and admittedly i’m likely coming across defensively. I guess I just wanted to put my 2 cents out there, even if they are late at night 2 cents, and therefore maybe only worth a penny (a canadian penny no less) in an attempt to get some discussion happening, here on the blog or elsewhere about exactly what AKAR is questioning with this exhibition – What is Canadian Ceramics? Thoughts?
