Currently based in London, Xanthe Somers (b. 1992) is a Zimbabwean ceramicist whose work is a critical reading of extraction economies and notions of domesticity within post-colonial contexts, with a particular lens focused on the country of her birth.
See more of Ben’s work here.
Getting back to collecting images for #mondaymorningeyecandy is likely my favorite part of this blog, no lie. It’s basically as though I were creating the largest, dreamiest exhibition of ceramic ever, and considering who and why to include work. Coming back to the blog after so many years I wasn’t sure where to begin. So I did a random thing. I picked a time in the archives and opened the links and the first random monday morning eye candy I found was this one about the artist Roberta Massuch.
I was thinking it’s be fun to do a sort of then and now post. Anyone from past monday morning eye candy posts you’d like to see again? Were you an artist that was previous featured? Drop me a line. Till then enjoy these pieces by Roberta.
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“Influenced heavily by the architecture of her surroundings, Roberta Massuch (Philadelphia, PA) creates functional pottery, sculpture, and 2d artworks. Massuch received her BFA in ceramics from Northern Illinois University and her MFA from Louisiana State University. Teaching positions include The Clay Studio (Philadelphia, PA), Tyler School of Art (Philadelphia, PA), and the Community College of Philadelphia. She has participated in residencies at The Clay Studio, The Wharton Esherick Museum (Malvern, Pennsylvania) Tyler School of Art, Northern Clay Center (Minneapolis, MN), and Arquetopia Foundation (Puebla, MX). Her work has been exhibited at universities, institutions, galleries, and museums across the United States.” (via her website)
Hostler Burrows and Ago Projects are pleased to announce MyungJin Kim: Hortus Talisman, a solo exhibition presented in Hostler Burrows’ Los Angeles gallery at 6819 Melrose Ave. The artist will be in attendance for an opening reception on September 22, from 6 to 8 pm.
In this current body of work, Kim sculpts organically shaped bas-relief clay vessels in warm, earthy terracotta. While the themes in her work are archetypal, the artists filters and distills information from her immediate surroundings and cultural history as poignant subject matter in her art. Her narrative vessels depict a primal botanical landscape inspired by the Jurassic era vegetation in her garden and around Los Angeles. For the exhibition, she has created two of her most monumentally scaled works to date, each standing over six feet tall.
Deeply embedded in Korean culture is the shamanistic practice of strategically placing symbolically meaningful paintings, drawings and special objects in the home or temple as talisman for protection. The gallery installation engages this symbolic practice. Kim has covered the walls with paintings of ancient plants from her garden, enveloping her ceramic sculptures within the space. In using the same visual language as the vessels, Kim’s murals transform the architecture of the room, evoking the immersive environment of her own garden.
Kim has long been interested in painting styles from both the East and West. Korean “Minhwa” are mysteriously beautiful Chosun dynasty folk paintings which have been influential in her practice. In particular, 19th century “Whajodo” are symbolic folk paintings that include landscapes with lush flowers and pairs of birds who are “mated for life”. They offer the promise of prosperity, longevity and happiness.
MyungJin Kim (b. 1975, South Korea) received her MFA in ceramics from Seoul National University in 2002, after which she moved to Los Angeles. Kim has been an artist in residence at the prestigious Archie Bray Foundation on numerous occasions from 2011 to 2018. She currently lives and maintains a studio and garden in San Pedro, CA. Kim’s work is included in the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Eugene, OR; Archie Bray Foundation Collection, Helena, MT; Pizzuti Collection, Columbus, OH; Sonny Kamm Teapot Collection, Los Angeles, CA; as well as numerous private collections across the United States.
www.hostlerburrows.com/exhibitions/myungjin-kim-hortus-talisman
