call for entry: Companion Gallery – Underglaze

by | Jun 11, 2018 | call for entry

Material Mugs III

UNDERGLAZE

2018 Juror: Renee LoPresti

Now in its third year, Material Mugs (Irons in the Fire 2016, Conductivity 2017) has become one of the most anticipated juried exhibitions by makers and collectors alike.

Material Mugs III: UNDERGLAZE is a survey of contemporary drinking vessels which employ any and every use of underglaze possible. The exhibition is open to every type of clay, temperature, and atmosphere. Our hope is to present a comprehensive collection of the full spectrum and potential of underglazes.

 This year, juror Renee LoPresti (Ceramics Monthly Emerging Artist 2017) will be looking for innovative approaches to underglaze decoration on handmade ceramic cups and mugs.

We will be printing a full color catalog, hosting an opening gallery reception, and the entire exhibition will be available for sale online.

Entry Deadline: Friday July 20th, 2018 12 Midnight CST

Full details on how to enter here: companiongallery.com/call-for-entries/

 

technical tuesday: Nixi Artisan Potters

by | May 29, 2018 | technical tuesday

The following is an excerpt text from “Nixi Artisan Potters” via Kathy Erteman’s website. She has had a number of experiences working with contemporary Nixi Artisan Potters.

Please read more of her writing here and find links to further resources and research – and make sure to check out her ceramic work as well.

“The Nixi Potters live in Tandui Village, nestled in a bucolic valley on the Tibetan plateau at 10,000 feet in Yunnan, China. The city of Shangri-la, a tourist destination famous for fresh air, Chinese herbs and Tibetan Culture, is a half hour drive away. The villagers are artisans and farmers, the heirs to a 1200-year-old tradition of pottery production threatened with extinction during the Chinese Cultural Revolution after which time only three artisan families remained in the village. In the ensuing decades the numbers of Nixi potters has steadily increased.  There are now 120 artisan families in the village. 
 
Traditional Nixi pottery is utilitarian black ware with decorative porcelain inlay and carving, used by all Tibetan households for cooking, and cultural and religious ceremonies. This deep tradition of pottery production is the social glue that provides community cohesion and economic opportunity for the entire village. Training of young artisans is done exclusively through apprenticeship with one of the village pottery masters. Apprentices begin by creating their own set of tools from rhododendron root, horn and leather. Apprenticeship is a slow process yet many of the younger generation are now making this choice.”

Below is a video from Youtube demonstrating some of the traditional techniques of these artisans.