by Carole Epp | Sep 1, 2010 | Uncategorized
3 September to 3 October
The three dimensional artists that form the Clay Feet group of ceramists will transform the Main Gallery space into a feast of surface, texture, pattern and form. With sculptural ceramics by eight emerging and established female artists; Jillian Archibald, Elaine Bradley, Sascha Durack, Belinda Johnson, Pauline Mann, Narda McMahon, Gillian Treichel and Andrea Vinkovic.
by Carole Epp | Aug 28, 2010 | Uncategorized
August 28th 2010 to January 16th 2011
BAM Biennial 2010: Clay Throwdown! is the inaugural edition of BAM’s new, juried exhibition competition. With over 30 participating artists, it provides a panoramic survey of ceramic art created in the Pacific Northwest and a glimpse into the many directions in which this dynamic medium is moving.
Clay Throwdown! features a select blend of both emerging and established artists with an emphasis on new and site-specific works. It reflects the diverse responses of contemporary artists to one of the oldest media known to man: clay. From personal gestures to commentary on today’s social issues, Clay Throwdown! assembles a wide range of voices unique to the Pacific Northwest and our time. The competition is accompanied by two distinct awards. The John & Joyce Price Award of Excellence, a $5,000 cash prize plus the opportunity of a future solo exhibition at BAM. The Samuel & Patricia Smith People’s Choice Award comes with a $5,000 cash prize and will be selected by Museum visitors. Be sure to cast your vote when visiting BAM! The winner will be announced at the October 28th Members’ Reception.
ABOUT BAM BIENNIAL
BAM Biennial is a juried exhibition that occurs every two years starting in 2010. It brings attention and exposure to the work of contemporary artists and craftsmen in the Pacific Northwest. For each edition, the Museum designates a new focus, exploring a specific medium, technique, process or theme in art, craft and design, the Museum’s artistic focal point. More than 170 proposals were submitted to the 2010 edition which is focused on the theme of clay. 34 artists have been selected to participate in the competition. Submissions were reviewed by a select panel of four jurors comprised of: Bif Brigman, collector (Seattle, WA); Stefano Catalani, Director of Curatorial Affairs/Artistic Director, Bellevue Arts Museum (Bellevue, WA); Akio Takamori, artist (Seattle, WA) and Namita Wiggers, Curator, Museum of Contemporary Craft (Portland, OR).For more info please visit their website.
by Carole Epp | Aug 28, 2010 | Uncategorized
Secretary A Company of West Coast Potters Inc.
9745 Willow Street, P.O. Box 406 Chemainus, BC, Canada V0R 1K0
T: +1 250 416 1411 (mobile)
F: +1 888 755 9338 (toll-free)
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?
