The week’s news in the ceramic art world – October 30, 2024

👌 Applications for Ceramic Art London 2025 are open until November 10. This major fair attracts over 6,000 visitors and is open to individual artists and makers worldwide. CAL offers ceramic artists a unique chance to exhibit and sell their work in a prestigious central London venue and provides exhibitors with an excellent opportunity to reach new audiences. Selected applicants are responsible for covering the participation fee (between £1,000 and £2,200).

📙 This October saw ceramics exhibited at two of the leading London fairs of the year: Frieze, for contemporary art, and PAD London, for collectible design. The ceramics on display at PAD generally gave the impression of being imposing statement pieces for display in a grand entertainment space – reflecting the interests of the very well-heeled clientèle who glided smoothly between the stands. In contrast, the ceramics at Frieze, as if echoing the sartorial idiosyncrasies of its guests, were generally more experimental and representational than at PAD. Read Emma Park’s review of Frieze and PAD London 2024.

📙 In Avant-Garde Clay: Sōdeisha and Their Legacy in Contemporary Japanese Ceramics, Daria Melnikova explores the revolutionary impact of the Sōdeisha group, a collective of avant-garde ceramic artists who redefined Japanese pottery after WWII. Through reflections on a recent exhibition in Japan, Daria highlights the group’s experimental approach and enduring legacy, showing how their bold vision continues to influence today’s ceramic art landscape.

🌾 The International Ceramics Festival MINO, Japan, has announced the winners of its main event, the International Ceramics Exhibition. Ielizaveta Portnova was awarded the Grand Prix, while secca inc./Yanai Yuichi received the Gold Award. Several Silver, Bronze, and Special Judges’ Awards were also presented. The exhibition is currently on view at Ceramics Park MINO in Tajimi City, Japan, and will remain open until November 14, 2024.

👁️ Oxford Ceramics Gallery recently opened an exhibition by the distinguished collector Anthony Shaw to coincide with the publication this year of the long-awaited book Seeing with Another Eye: The Anthony Shaw Collection. The show is on view until November 16. The book is available on Bookshop.org (US) or Amazon (world).

📙 I recommend reading The New York Times Style Magazine’s “The Greats” issue, which features Siddhartha Mitter’s article about Theaster Gates. The author carefully explores Gates’s multifaceted artistic practice, including his work across various mediums (including ceramics) and his dedication to social practice. A paywall might be activated if you’re not a subscriber—you can try this link or use library access.

📌 The Faenza Art Ceramic Center (Italy) invites artists to apply for its 2025 Residency Program. This opportunity is open to artists, designers, and architects, providing a platform to deepen their knowledge of ceramic techniques and materials. Participants will have access to essential resources and technical support, enabling them to bring their creative projects to life. Participants are responsible for covering the costs associated with the residency. Applications are due December 31, 2024.

🎉 Taste Contemporary (Geneva) celebrates their tenth anniversary with a move to a new gallery space and two exhibitions: Off-Kilter: Martin Neubert & Fern Liberty Kallenbach Campbell and Disparate Measures: Philip Eglin. This new space also includes a private viewing room, enabling clients to view specially curated selections of work. Both exhibitions run until November 2, 2024.

💡 Applications are now open for the 2025 Siliceous Award for Ceramic Excellence, to be held in March 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. This prestigious award celebrates artistic innovation in ceramics, with a 7,000 AUD Main Prize and the winning work becoming part of Ceramic Arts Queensland’s Permanent Collection. The competition is open exclusively to Australia-based artists, and applications must be submitted by February 10.