by Carole Epp | Feb 27, 2014 | Uncategorized
Mythology Meets Archetype is
curated by Heather Nameth Bren, NCC exhibition committee member,
professor, and ceramic artist. It will feature the artworks of Christie
Brown (London, UK), Philip Eglin (London, UK), Michelle Erickson
(Yorktown, VA), Bonnie Marie Smith (Kingston, NY), and Vipoo Srivilasa
(Melbourne, AU). The works in the exhibition will respond to personal,
cultural, and religious myths that have grown out of the desire to know
(or the posture to know) the unknowable. Symbols of the god figure, the
mother figure, the self, and the demon have been used to describe
ancient and contemporary narratives. This archetypal cast of characters
is employed as agents of one’s personal or cultural identity, spiritual
devotion, and even power to control the masses.
Vipoo Srivilasa will be in residence at Northern Clay Center prior to
the exhibition working with community members on a collaborative
project. Stay tuned for more information!
www.northernclaycenter.org
2424 Franklin Avenue East, Minneapolis, MN, 55406
by Carole Epp | Feb 20, 2014 | Uncategorized
Emerged: After the Residency
March 14 – April 20, 2014
Reception: Friday, March 14, 6-8pm
Curated by Bill Griffith,
this exhibition features new work by eleven exciting artists who have
who’ve recently completed ceramic residency programs.
From the Curator:
“Residency programs provide a unique transformative experience, usually
outside of an academic setting, often at pivotal times in an artist’s
career. At their best, these programs support artists with the gift of
time and an atmosphere that encourages experimentation, professional and
personal growth, and lots of questions and sometimes only a few
answers. Residencies also play an important role in providing a
community of peers for a period of time while continuing to expand the
circle of artists, educators, mentors, and collectors outside of that
community. In the end, residencies are as much about discovering who we
are as artists and people as they are about what we make.
Emerged: After the Residency is especially personal and
important to me having experienced the “emergence” of over 100 early
career artists through my work as residency program director at
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts since 1992. In order to be
considered for this exhibition, ceramic artists must have completed a
residency program within the past 3 years. I reviewed the artwork of
many artists, some of the work I saw in person and some of the work
through only images in websites or publications. In making my final
selections for Emerged, I chose artists whose work engaged me
aesthetically, awed me technically and maintained my curiosity without
having to read the titles or artist’s statements.”
About Bill Griffith
Bill Griffith is a ceramic artist and the program director of Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts
in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. He received a B.S. degree in Art Education
from Indiana State University and an MA in Ceramics/Art Education from
Miami University, Ohio. During Bill’s tenure as Assistant Director and
Director of Programs at Arrowmont he has initiated and managed a long
legacy of new art education programming and created the Artists-in-Residence program which is now in its 20th year providing opportunities for early career, emerging artists.
lillstreetgallery.com/emerged
by Carole Epp | Feb 13, 2014 | Uncategorized
The Kootenay Gallery will be opening their new season with an exhibit
of work by the internationally renowned ceramic artist Les Manning.
The pieces found in Common/Opposites are a bold departure from
his past collections which, while sculptural in spirit, were typically
traditional, utilitarian vessels: pots, plates and bowls. The 19
sculptures that make up this exhibition, have been described as playful,
using contrasting forms, textures and colours to reflect Manning’s
personal experiences and knowledge of Canada’s landscape. His knowledge
of his medium is obvious. He uses the qualities of ceramics to
“describe” this landscape combining the rough, dark stoneware with
smooth porcelain using intense glazes of pink, yellow, blue, green and
orange. The result is an unexpected, yet delightful surprise.
Les Manning’s artistic career spans over 40 years, from studio potter
to senior arts administrator. He is one of the founders of the Alberta
Craft Council; he ran the prestigious Banff Centre ceramics program and
was an active member of the International Academy of Ceramics. His work
has been shown around the world, and is held in private, corporate and
public collections, including the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Les
Manning received the Order of Canada in 2012.
The exhibition Common/Opposites was curated by Joanne Marion and its tour organized by the Esplanade Art Gallery, Medicine Hat, Alberta.
Also showing in the adjoining gallery space is the work of two West
Kootenay ceramic artists, Robin Dupont and Pamela Nagely Stevenson. The
title of their exhibition, Trial by Fire, reflects the specific
technique used by these artists, ancient in its origins yet complex in
its process. While time consuming, and labour intensive those who choose
this method do so for the effects achieved. Years of commitment and
dedication to perfecting their craft are reflected in the rich, colours
and textures found in their work. This exhibition is curated by Helen
Sebelius.
The opening reception to be held on Friday, February 14th
at 7:00 will include a dialogue between the artists and the curator in
which they will discuss their choice of technique and how it informs
their work. For more information call (250) 365-3337.
www.kootenaygallery.com
