by Carole Epp | Mar 30, 2014 | call for entry, emerging artist, job posting, monday morning eye candy, movie day, residency opportunity, show us your influences, technical tuesday
Loose, slightly humorous, and
unsettling illustrations animate my ceramic artworks. I choose to draw
portraits of people’s hidden lives, magnifying the people’s features and the
private moments of their lives.
Currently, I am exploring
the obsessive collection of things—hoarding, and how this fixation interferes
with the quality of daily life and relationships. Growing up, we had a lot of
stuff; overflowing boxes of papers, small mountains of clothes, and a cat for
every family member. Frequently moving throughout my life has forced me to evaluate
my relationship with my possessions. I incorporate multiple layers of surface
to create a crowded environment for the narrative. Much like hoarding
challenges home as comfort, the addition of exaggerated ornamentation and form
challenges the comfortable feeling of function, engaging the viewer to
contemplate his or her relationship to objects.
https://www.wix.com/catiemiller/ceramics
by Carole Epp | Mar 29, 2014 | Uncategorized
“My interest has remained inconveniently multi-faceted in most things ceramic – from its misty prehistory, when only clay and gods mattered, to the subsequent historical offerings from many lands. Food and tea presentation, clay and glaze research, the art of throwing, the art of handbuilding, kilns, riverside shards, emissivity, the smell of old clay, on and on. The straight path to the studio from the house is necessarily most serpentine some days. Some months of the year, though, make it much simpler. When the days grow warmer I work much more outside, where pots dry more quickly. I become a potter and become familiar again with muscle and ache. From November on, when things are freezing solid outside, body activity slows down and more cerebral struggle takes its place. A farmer might go curling during this time. I suppose I go handbuilding. This sequence has been part of my making for well over 30 years. The only thing I can see that has changed is more honing, more reflection, more revisiting old and new places in my mind, and less guilt about the now petty.”
– John Chalke
by Carole Epp | Mar 27, 2014 | Uncategorized
Coalescence
by ceramic artist Brenda Danbrook
March 29 – May 3, 2014
Opening Reception: 2-4 pm, Saturday, March 29
This
body of work developed out of a passion for functional ceramics and
interest in work that explores the ceramic narrative. The imagery and
pattern used as an embellishment not only fits decoratively, but is
placed intentionally to increase the sense of vitality.
In
a domestic setting a ceramic vessel has the opportunity to express a
visual experience beyond the very useful and tactile qualities. This
series honours the individual user and embraces the family by evocating
groupings intended to be used to serve a specific function and to
enhance a special event such as Sunday breakfast.
“In my daily practice, I strive to find a balance between form,
function and imagery that come together in unity to heighten an object’s
utility, which placed in the hands of the user, brings an experience or
connection to their daily life.”
Danbrook owns and operates a pottery studio in Opal, Alberta. In 2006,
with support from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Brenda began to
pursue an education in visual art as a means of expanding and deepening
her existing artistic practice in clay. She studied in Jingdehzen, China
with the Australian National University, where she received a Diploma
of Art (with high distinction). Brenda also received a Diploma in Visual
Art from Red Deer College (2010), and a BFA (with distinction) from the
Alberta College of Art + Design (2013). She has exhibited ceramics both
nationally and internationally.
Brenda’s work is included in the ACC’s group exhibition Potworks which
has travelled to the Yuill Gallery, Medicine Hat, and will be at Red
Deer College during SERIES this summer. Brenda’s work is represented in
various private and corporate collections including the Institutions she
attended, the Canadian Consulate (Australia) and the AFA (2010). Brenda
has also been the recipient of numerous awards, scholarships and
grants, including the Illingworth Kerr and Louise McKinney Scholarships.
Coalescence runs
in the Alberta Craft Council’s Discovery Gallery, 10186 – 106 Street
from March 29 – May 3, 2014 with an opening reception on Saturday, March
29 from 2-4pm.
For more information on this exhibition contact Joanne Hamel
(780) 488-6611 ext 221 | [email protected] or visit www.albertacraft.ab.ca
ACC Discovery Gallery | 10186 – 106 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 1H4
by Carole Epp | Mar 26, 2014 | Uncategorized
There was far too much to do, far too much to see, far too many lovely people to meet over the last week in Milwaukee at NCECA. It had been the Portland NCECA years ago since I had last attended the annual conference. The clay world, and my role and engagement in it had changed substantially since. Take any full time parent and artist out of their day to day and place them in the all inspiring world of exhibitions, talks, and 2 in the morning late night chats with old friends about art and the result will likely be the overwhelmed yet childlike wonder and excitement that I felt over the last week. It wasn’t an exaggeration that I felt like a kid at Christmas. Seeing some of my favorite artists’ work in the flesh meant more in depth investigation and engagement in their work. Having my eyes opened to new, vibrant and challenging art also meant that I felt I needed to spend more time researching and expanding my views on contemporary ceramics. I have had my eyes and mind opened to the value, strength and support that this inclusive clay community offers.
There were so many ideas and discussions that I want to continue here online, and hopefully over the next few weeks once the thoughts have peculated and settled a bit (and of course when i can carve out some time) I’ll try to get posting some more thoughts on the blog again. I feel like that’s been something that has been missing over the years, something I’d like to grow. Perhaps I can try harder to get some of the amazing minds of this community doing more guest posts on the blog as well. If you’re interested or know someone please drop me a line!
For now it’s time for me to dive back into the studio; for 2 reasons. One because the last week was so damn inspiring and 2 because I’ve got bare shelves and a major sale at the end of April!
Thanks to everyone that made the point of stopping me and introducing themselves. I can’t remember the last time I received so many hugs or felt so happy. It really meant the world to me.
xoxox
Carole
