Jun Kaneko @ the Gardiner Museum in Toronto until September 18th

by | Aug 10, 2011 | Uncategorized



Jun Kaneko (American, born Japan 1942) studied painting in his native Japan as a young man. In 1963, he moved to the United States where he studied ceramics with a number of influential artists from the California School, including Peter Voulkos and Paul Soldner. Although Kaneko is best known for creating large-scale ceramic sculptures and installations, painting has remained an important part of his artistic practice throughout his career. In recent years Kaneko has also branched out to design opera sets and costumes for several productions in Omaha, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Vancouver. This exhibition presents a survey of 39 works by Kaneko ranging in date from the early 1980s to the early 2000s. The works in the exhibition include a mix of large and small ceramic sculptures as well as a selection of paintings and drawings. The combination of works in different media emphasizes Kaneko’s strong command of form and colour, and his longstanding interest in optics and perception. Jun Kaneko is a traveling exhibition organized by Smith Kramer Fine Art Services for a tour of North America. The Gardiner Museum is the final stop on the tour and the only scheduled Canadian venue for the exhibition.Visit the gallery website for more info.

Julie Moon exhibition: “Pretty, Strange”

by | Aug 8, 2011 | Uncategorized



Narwhal Art Projects is pleased to present Pretty, Strange, an exhibition of works by Julie Moon from August 11th to September 4th, 2011. Inspired by the tactility and anthropomorphic qualities of clay, Moon’s undulating, organic sculptures pay reference to the human form through their limb-like protuberances and rolling, fleshy surfaces. These indelicate figures contrast sharply with the dainty ornamentation with which they are applied: from their pastel palette to their intricate overlays, each piece deliberately juxtaposes effete flourishes with corpulent silhouettes. The result is an imbalance between elegance and awkwardness, forcing the viewer to confront their own preconceptions of beauty, femininity and alterity. Consisting exclusively of ceramic media, Pretty, Strange incorporates wall-mounted sculpture as well as freestanding forms. The addition of surface applications and glazes, fabric, frill and lace trim informs the unique identity of each piece: in Ballerina, a pointe slipper adorns the toes of an otherwise bloated and distended leg-like appendage, while Shoe farcically applies a delicate pattern to a bulbous-looking foot. The effect is reminiscent of the frivolous figurines of a china cabinet, albeit without the grace, delicacy and literal representation of such traditional ephemera. Pretty, Strange is the culmination of Moon’s thesis work at the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University as well as her current residency at the Center for Ceramics in Berlin. Moon has previously shown both locally and internationally, most notably through her solo exhibition Pretty Pleas at the Fosdick Nelson Gallery in New York State (2010). Opening reception:

Thurs August 11th

7-10pm

Artist will be in attendance.

Runs Aug 11 -Sept 4, 2011

For information, artwork availability or press preview:

[email protected]http://www.narwhalartprojects.com/events-exhibitions/julie-moon/

Koi Neng Liew: Exhibition of New Work

by | Aug 7, 2011 | Uncategorized



LOCATION: Medalta Potteries – 713 Medalta Ave SE
Koi Neng Liew (website) This exhibition is the culmination of Liew’s year-long ceramic arts residency at Medalta’s Shaw Centre. The exhibition, which is on display in one of Medalta’s Kiln Galleries, features a number of the artist’s striking large-scale sculptures. As an active part of Medicine Hat’s cultural community, you are invited to the opening reception, which will feature remarks by the artist. As members of Medicine Hat’s active cultural community, we hope you are able to show these visiting artists how much we appreciate the Arts.Visit the Medalta Website for more images from this amazing exhibition.