by Carole Epp | Mar 15, 2012 | Uncategorized
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.
by Carole Epp | Feb 6, 2012 | Uncategorized
Curatorial Statement:
The Low Down: Tales From The Margin is an exhibit of contemporary ceramics, which are bothhonest and current, reflecting narratives that are personal and shared, abstract and implied. The concept began with a volley of ideas and artists, until a group emerged whom consistentlygenerate objects that toy with definitions and tease visual, historical and/or technical boundaries. The second factor in our selection process was intent to extol the achievements of artists generating their main body of work within low temperature ranges.
Max Lehman, Carole Epp, Alex Kraft, Nick Ramey, Julie Guyot, Jason Bige Burnett and Melissa Mytty have created a spirited and vibrant collection of objects, the best of which will pull the viewer in to the tales they spin. Formal compositions pair sparse grounds with overwhelmed figures and the viewer is left to decide if the decadence is for the better or not. Some of the more obvious narratives still leave ample room for audience interpretation; and, like a visual mad-lib, we can fill in the blanks. There are elaborate dialogues between material pairings made in fantastical, imaginary worlds alongside very evident social commentary with an extremely clear point of view. This is an exhibition for a modern world with visual “sound bites†for those in search of over stimulation, however if one chooses to go deeper the conversation thread is there to pick up and carry. Perhaps this what can happen when a graphic novel impacts the oft-insular world of clay?
The exhibit is a targeted snapshot of a specific area of inquiry in the field of ceramics. A peripheral group generating more and more buzz and not just from the hum of an electric kiln. The Low Down: Tales from the Margin is a celebration of the creative exploitation possible with electric coils and eutectic compositions.
View the whole show online here.
PO Box 1527 Red Lodge, MT 59068 Ph. 406.446.3993
by Carole Epp | Dec 9, 2011 | Uncategorized
This is where I’ll be this weekend. My last sale of the holiday season (yippeee!)
To find out more about this cool collective I work with please check out our blog or our facebook page. And here is more info about this weekend’s event. Hope to see you there!
by Carole Epp | Dec 1, 2011 | Uncategorized
Roxanne Jackson’s work is on the cover of the Ceramics Now Magazine Winter 2011-2012 issue, introducing an amazing interview about her work. The issue presents Arthur Gonzalez’s work, as well as two special features with the Denver Art Museum (Overthrown: Clay Without Limits) and Keiko Gallery (Japanese artists).
Digital Issue nr. 1 also presents interviews and articles with new and world-renowned ceramic artists: Claire Muckian, Carol Gouthro, Cynthia Lahti, Carole Epp, Connie Norman, Simcha Even-Chen, Liza Riddle, Patrick Colhoun, Mark Goudy, Chang Hyun Bang, Ian Shelly, Ian F. Thomas, Shamai Gibsh, Margrieta Jeltema, Shane Porter, John Shirley, Jim Kraft, Connie Norman, Blaine Avery, Antonella Cimatti, Maciej Kasperski, Wim Borst, Merete Rasmussen.
Overthrown – Denver Art Museum: Gwen F. Chanzit (curator), Katie Caron and Martha Russo, John Roloff, Clare Twomey, Paul Sacaridiz, Linda Sormin, Del Harrow, Benjamin DeMott, Mia Mulvey.
Japanese artists – Keiko Gallery: Niisato Akio, Kawabata Kentaro, Takeuchi Kouzo, Hayashi Shigeki, Tanoue Shinya, Fujita Toshiaki, Murata Yoshihiko, Jorie Johnson, Takeda Asayo, Mariko Husain.
Read more about the magazine: www.ceramicsnow.org/magazine
BUY THE DIGITAL ISSUE NOW, $4: www.ceramicsnow.org/nr1digital
SUBSCRIBE FOR 1-YEAR (DIGITAL), $15: www.ceramicsnow.org/1yeardigital
by Carole Epp | Nov 5, 2011 | Uncategorized
I guess holiday season is just bound to be a busy time for artisans, no getting around it. There is a part of me that likes the pressure of deadlines looming and late nights frantically working in the studio. I feel like I’m buzzing at a different level of productivity, one that somehow makes me feel more alive while at the same time burning me right out!
So in my madness I signed up for 3 holiday sales, one of which I’m also helping to organize. Not too bad, well if it weren’t for the fact that I’m 7 month pregnant : ) It’s all good though. I reckon I’ll get the sympathy vote at the sales when I can barely stand to pack peoples purchases.
So here’s some details of where you can find me in the next month or so:
November 25th-27th – Artisans Fine Craft Market
December 3rd to 5th – Sundog Arts Fair
You can find my booth over by the stage – good lord help us all this might be what pushes me over the edge! : )
December 9th & 10th – Winter Wonders Handmade Market
Okay so that’s it for markets, but while I’m on this self promotion rank I really want to tell you about a show I’m in that’s opening right away. I’m super honored and well still kinda in disbelief to be honest to have been invited to exhibit as part of “The LowDown: Tales from the Margin” exhibition.
Here’s some info directly from the Kipp Gallery Website:
The Low Down:Tales from the Margin – This is a traveling exhibition showcasing the work of seven contemporary ceramists. The exhibition is curated by Kipp Gallery Director, Kyle Houser in collaboration with Gallery Coordinator, Jill Foote-Hutton from the Red Lodge Clay Center in Red Lodge, Montana. Each artist selected for this exhibition is exemplar of contemporary ceramics, which is both honest and current, reflecting narratives that are personal and shared, abstract and implied. The concept began with a volley of ideas and artists, until a group emerged who consistently generate objects that toy with definitions and tease visual, historical and/or technical boundaries. Another key factor in the selection process was an intent to extol the achievements of artists generating their main body of work within low temperature ranges. In joining a fluid notion of narrative, the parameter of temperature and a lineup of artists with diverse audience appeal and experience we hope to illuminate the provocative activity along a specific periphery of the field. The Low Down: Tales from the Margin is a celebration of the creative exploitation possible with electric coils and eutectic compositions. Exhibiting artists: Jason Burnett, Carole Epp, Julie Goyot, Alex Kraft, Max Lehman, Mellissa Mytty, Nick Ramey. The exhibition will originate here at IUP in the Fall of 2011 and travel to Red Lodge Clay Center in the Spring of 2012. http://jasonbigeburnett.com/ – http://www.caroleepp.com/ – http://www.julieguyot.com/ – http://alexkraftart.com/ – http://maxdna.com/ – http://www.melissamytty.com/ – http://nickrameyceramics.com/Crazy eh? I’m so excited to be exhibiting alongside these amazing artists. I only wish I could see the show in person. I reckon it’ll be great so if you can make it to one of the locations to check it out please do.
You can read more about the show, plus get a sneak peak of some of the work on Kyle Houser’s blog homefry sketchbook.I’ll be posting some images of my works in the show here on the blog once the show opens. In the meantime I’ll share with you a piece that didn’t quite make it. (thank you customs and you’re incredible inability to repack artwork! Maybe homeland security was a little worried about her chainsaw…)
Oh and one last thing – I know lots of self promoting today, my apologies! – but I just wanted to mention in case you haven’t noticed that I’ve set up a musing about mud facebook page which you can visit to get even more ceramic related content and eye candy for inspiration. I’m still trying to post as much info as I can here on the blog, but the reality is that there is so much relevant content out there that I can’t find the time to post it all. Having the facebook page helps to quickly link to websites of interest and amazing photo albums of clay objects and sometimes interesting dialogues on facebook. Please stop by for a visit and “like” the page. Thanks for your time, that’s enough self promotion for one day, enjoy the rest of your weekend!Cheers,
Carole
