The week’s news in the ceramic art world – July 17, 2024

• We’re honored to publish Doug Navarra’s essay ‘Sculpting the Darkness Within’, which offers a deeply personal and evocative exploration of Toshiko Takaezu’s work, focusing on the introspective and spiritual significance of the darkness within her pots.

• A few days ago, we published Amy Gogarty’s review and interview with Debra Sloan. The artist is best known for her ceramic sculptures of animals and infants, which exude personality and often humor. Her babies, in particular, bely uncritical sentimentality in their frank displays of frustration, anger, and resistance. With her latest exhibition at the Craft Council of British Columbia, Les Grandes Dames, Sloan shifts her attention to the mature female figure, filling the gallery with a full court of alert, expressive beings.

• As clay 3D printing gains popularity among ceramic artists, it sparks debate and differing opinions. Understanding this innovative process can foster healthy discussions. Read Hendrien Horn’s article in Ceramics Now and discover how 3D printing is reshaping the world of ceramics and opening new creative possibilities.

• SculptureCenter’s annual open call for artists is open until August 4, 2024. They invite artists who have not yet had an institutional solo exhibition in New York City to submit proposals for solo exhibitions in designated gallery spaces at SculptureCenter. Artists are also invited to propose off-site projects, publishing initiatives, performances, and nontraditional formats, which will be considered based on feasibility. Up to seven artists will be selected to participate in the program from spring 2025 to winter 2026.

• Ceramic Art Andenne recently announced that the City of Andenne has decided to award two new prizes during Ceramic Art Andenne 2025: the ‘Art Acquisition Award’ worth €5500 and the ‘Public Prize’ worth €1000. Artists are invited to submit their works for the 17th International Contemporary Ceramics Competition until October 13, 2024.

• Applications are now open for artists and traders who wish to exhibit at the fair of the CAOLIN International Contemporary Ceramics Festival (Cluj, Romania). In its seventh edition this year, the festival welcomes all art enthusiasts with an innovative approach, creating a dedicated outdoor exhibition space in the heart of Transylvania. The event will take place in the city’s main square from September 11 to 15, 2024. Applications are due August 15. Participation fee: ~€200.

• Only two weeks are left to apply for the 2025 Taiwan Ceramic Residency Program. Located at the Yingge Ceramics Museum in Taiwan, their program offers ceramic facilities, working space, accommodation, material subsidies, and transportation subsidies. International artists are invited to apply until July 31.

• There are just a few weeks left to apply for the Bizen Contemporary Ceramics Biennale (Japan), Vitality Clay – The Shiwan Cup’s International Youth Ceramic Arts (China), and the International Ceramics Biennial of El Vendrell (Spain). All the links are available on our 2024 Ceramics Calendar page.

• The 1st edition of the Biennale of Contemporary Keramics (Greece), CLAY ECHOES — Unearthing Hidden Narratives, embraces a unique nomadic concept, traveling across different Greek islands and drawing inspiration from their mythological and historical backgrounds. This year’s exhibition is taking place at the Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Santorini.

• 1001 Pots, Canada’s largest ceramics event is back for its 35th edition from July 5 to August 18, 2024, in the heart of the village of Val-David, Quebec. This outdoor gathering, which annually welcomes over 100 ceramists from Quebec and beyond, offers visitors an immersion in the world of ceramics.

• We recently published a sponsored article about Vacation With An Artist. The project was founded on the idea that humans have an inherent need to create. For artists and non-artists alike, VAWAA offers curious travelers the opportunity to complete a mini-apprenticeship under a master artist or artisan in more than 34 countries.

• If you happen to visit Poland this summer, check out the 16th International Ceramic Biennale KERAMOS exhibition, which is taking place in Warsaw through August 31. The event brought together a fantastic selection of Polish and international artists.

• Mud Australia recently announced Alfred Lowe as the winner of the 2024 Shelley Simpson Ceramic Prize (SSCP) providing him with international exposure and a $10,000 cash prize. As part of the SSCP, Alfred’s work will be displayed across Mud Australia’s 12 retail stores globally, including London, New York, Los Angeles, and Australia. Launched by Mud Australia’s founder Shelley Simpson, the ceramics prize is an annual initiative supporting the next generation of Australian ceramicists.

• Congratulations to the winners of the 26th edition of the International Biennial of Vallauris: Laurent Nicolas (Grand Prize of the City of Vallauris) and Ana Ščuka (Special Prize Young Creator), and to the winners of the 31st Mediterraneo Contemporary Ceramics Competition (Grottaglie, Italy): Lei Shao – 1st Prize (Best Artwork), Ielizaveta Portnova – 2nd Prize (Personal Exhibition), and Ying Zheng – 3rd Prize (Artist Residence for Young Artists). The exhibitions are on view through September 30 and October 6, respectively.

• Music recommendation: Coper Sounds presents a unique take on ambient music. The intimate and immersive sounds on ‘Sequenced Ceramics’ were made using seven purpose-built ceramic vessels, played using a custom-made sequencer and mechanical beaters. The album is released as a limited edition of 50 ceramic vessels, each one unique and glazed with a download code. This ceramic is also an instrument, its shape based on one of the seven ceramics used on the album.

• Book recommendation: Unearthed – The NEHMA Ceramic Collection and the Woman Behind It. The ground-breaking, 256-page publication showcases selections from NEHMA’s exceptional ceramic collection that focuses on the history of ceramics west of the Mississippi River since 1900. With substantive essays and illustrated biographical entries on more than 200 artists and artworks, the publication intentionally highlights artists who deserve more recognition and have yet to be contextualized within broader ceramics history. Find it on Bookshop (in the US) and Amazon (world).

• AMOCA is hosting a virtual talk with Artist in Residence Paige O’Toole to celebrate the end of her residency in the AMOCA Studios. At noon (PDT) on Tuesday, July 23, O’Toole will share about her practice, current work, and future directions, and there will be an opportunity for Q&A following the presentation.

• The Clay Studio (Philadelphia) is also hosting several online talks in the coming weeks as part of their Clay & Conversations series: Clare McCormish & Michael Moore on July 18, Susan Beiner & Ann Van Hoey on July 25, and Paul Scott & Charlotta Klingström on August 2.

• What’s On View: Ranti Bam: Anima is on view at James Cohan, New York / Kensuke Yamada & Anna Johnson are on view at Duane Reed Gallery, St. Louis / Metamorphic is on view at County Hall Pottery, London / Focus on Contemporary Masters of Hagi and Oribe is on view at Joan B Mirviss, New York / Cyril Chartier-Poyet: Things Seen is on view at Nendo Galerie, Marseille / Brigitte Pénicaud is on view at Galerie Capazza, Nançay / Molly Hatch: Amalgam is on view at Sarasota Art Museum, Sarasota / Edges is on view at the Watts Gallery Artists Village, Compton / King Houndekpinkou: Six Prayers is on view at Southern Guild, Cape Town