Susan O'Byrne, porcelain sculpture, about 90cm high

I’m really looking forward to going to Ceramic Art London this coming weekend. Although I’m not showing any work personally, my lovely friend from the Glasgow Ceramics Studio, Susan O’Byrne, is exhibiting her life-size lyrical printed porcelain sculptures. This work has to be seen to be believed, both in its scale, virtuosity and emotional impact. We’ve been watching Susan’s narrative sculptures take shape at the studio for many months now and are very excited to see them nearing completion. It is definitely promising to be a stand-out stall at the event.

Ceramic Art London is on in London (obviously) on the 26th, 27th and 28th of February.

Frances Stark “But what of Frances Stark, standing by itself, a naked name, bare as a ghost to whom one would like to lend a sheet?”

Well, hello! It’s been a long time. I’ve been very shy of the computer keyboard since I injured my right arm because I wasn’t mindful enough of how to use a keyboard properly. Now I’m beginning to return to computer use, a little at a time, even though I continue to struggle with RSI. It’s amazing how much something like that can affect your life.

On Thursday night (that was the 12th Feb) I went to a private view at the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow, Sauchiehall Street. The exhibition was of work in paper collage and drawing by Frances Stark, an artist from the USA.

I had a really marvelous time. The CCA is a great venue – a very welcoming, open and accessible space. They served us G&T’s instead of the usual wine – which would win anyone over, just by novelty value, I’m sure. Frances Stark is very clever and has a great sense of humour – not to mention a lot of patience, judging by the nature of the collages, which in many cases were INLAID. I think she’s a closet ceramicist really. I’ve been wondering what to make of the piles of paper, documents and receipts building up in my own life as well. Anyway, the show is well worth a look.

As far as my website is concerned, I’ve made a few changes. Since I’m no longer a student, the albums showing all the experimentation, processes and techniques I used towards my MPhil have been relegated to a less prominent position. They are, however, still available, should you wish to look at photographic documentation of the glaze testing techniques I used, screen printing ceramic transfers , mould making and slip casting, making pvc moulds, fixing a gas kiln, etc etc.

I have put more emphasis on my portfolio and finished work, and will be from now on working towards starting a ceramics business as an artist. Wish me luck!

"Clapping Monkey", 2000 by Cindy Kolodziejski

The image of this piece is a link from the “Contemporaries” part of the California Community Foundation website. Kolodziejski was one of their grant recipients. I love this piece because of the trompe l’oeil reflection – it creates a notional space for the object to exist in – and the viewer becomes a clapping monkey in this alternate universe(!)

What I’m curious about though is what is on the other side? Does anyone know? Kolodziejski often sets up a narrative in her work by painting two seperate but conceptually linked images on each face of her piece. The handle and spout would serve as a dividing line. I can’t find an image of the other side of this piece on the internet and I can’t get in touch with the artist. She doesn’t have a website. At the moment she’s represented by Frank Lloyd Gallery, but they haven’t responded as yet to my enquiry and it’s been a while since I asked.

I’m thinking maybe I should call them… Anyway, if anyone can enlighten me, I would be most greatful.

Here it is, now available in paperback on Amazon UK.

Sennett is a sociologist and as such refers to many sociological studies in the text, but also to philosophical and psychological sources. He was a student of the philosopher Hannah Arendt, who in turn was a student of Martin Heidegger.

“The Craftsman” is written in a very clear, flowing and readable format, maybe due to the author also being a public intellectual, and well practiced in speaking and presenting concepts without being needlessly obscure or verbose. In the book Sennett explores what it means to be a craftsperson.  As examples he cites not just artists but people from across all fields (including computer programming and the NHS) who like to do work well for its own sake and who combine – in his words -  “hand and head” and “problem solving with problem finding”. He leads an insightful discussion about what inspires people to take pride in their work and how this affects the economy as well as the individual’s feeling of self worth, what shapes larger society’s views and reactions to craftspersonship, and why this type of work is unique and valuable to society.

Richard Sennett has a very good website which you will find a link to here. He also was interviewed on BBC4, together with Turner Prize winning ceramic artist Grayson Perry on a program titled “Thinking Allowed”. The interview aired in February 2008 and is no longer available on the BBC4 website, but here is a link to it on Richard Sennett’s website.

Hold Vessel 1

I’ve been mesmerized by the work of Lynette Wallworth. A solo show of hers opens today at the Anne & Gordon Samstag Museum. I would love to be able to attend.

Lynette’s work is about the complexities of human interconnection with our environment. She produces interactive installations. In this one, pictured above, the viewer activates space by capturing an image “inside” a glass bowl. (Bowls made by Emma Varga, Australia).

Why is this so fascinating to me? It’s a combination of the virtual and the haptic experience. A crossing over between the two dimensional and three dimensional worlds that includes allusions to containment and space.

Follow this link to the Forma website to see what it’s all about.

Here is Hold: Vessel 2 on YouTube.

Here is Lynette Wallford talking about her work, on the. Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, NY, USA Website

I’ve previously travelled very far to go to ceramics conferences. This one, ironically, is right on my old door step. It promises to be a good one. Marek Cecula, one of my favourite artists is a speaker.

Susan O’Byrne, Cheetah, 2008

This amazing sculpture is on exhibition at the Aberdeen Art Gallery, in Aberdeen, Scotland until the 31st of May, as part of the Aberdeen Artists’ Society seventy-fourth exhibition of Painting, Sculpture, Drawing, Photography, Architecture, Video, DVD, Design and Craft. If you would like to see it for yourself, information on gallery address and opening hours is here.

Next weekend, on Saturday 10th (10am – 5pm) and Sunday 11th (11am – 4pm) May, I’m involved in a group exhibition and sale with some other artists from the WASPS artists’ studios in Glasgow, where I’m a studio holder. Our group is called Parade Artists (WASPS studios are located on the corner of Alexandra Parade) and encompasses a range of media, including painting, photography, printmaking, jewelery, textiles, ceramics and glass. The sale will take place in the large front entrance gallery space of the 77 Hanson Street building, alongside the cafe, which is also open on weekends. I’ve made some lovely swirling porcelain bowls for the occasion. Linda McGill, Stuart Grant, Sue Wong and Elinor Caie from the Glasgow Ceramics Studio are also participating. So come along and have a browse if you happen to be in Glasgow. Hope to see you there!