Yesterday we went to the 9th Shanghai Biennial. It was held in an old power station that they converted into an art space. It was enormous and had so much art work, some lost me not being able to get the cultural references. Their was a lot of video and work dealing with technology, relevant to the fast pace growth of China. Probably the most powerful work was a series of photographs and text, where the artist interviewed people from Istanbul who had suddenly lost there eye sight. They described their last visual memory which was recorded and presented with images of the person and visual example of their last memory.

After a few days in the studio, here is some of the work that has been made so far. After struggling with the clay for the first few days I decided to try something different and coiled and threw this large Vase. I plan on carving the entire surface, we’ll se what happens.

 

Instead of going out for dinner, the undergraduate ceramics students organized a BBQ in the studio for us. Great food and a good time had by all. Bobby Scroggins, from the University of Kentucky arrived today from Jingdezhen China where he had been working for the last month. He will be working with us in the studio for the next couple of days.

 

Day five in China and I think my body is finally starting to adjust to the 12 hour time difference. Here are a couple of shots of my fellow resident artist working in the studio. Yesterday we took a break from the studio to give individual lectures about our work to students at the university.

The Graduate Studios at Shanghai University, where we are working, was built inside a large park. You almost forget you are in a huge city, with the beautiful views outside. Along with the Chinese Artist, I am here working with two other american Potters Ben Carter(L) and Dryden Wells(R). Ben and Dryden have both been in China for a couple years working for a Ceramic Equipment distributor. It’s very helpful to travel with people that know the language and their way around the city.

 

First full day in Shanghai, and went to the Shanghai Museum. I saw an overwhelming amount of ancient Chinese ceramics and bronze work. Here are two examples that I liked. I was also amazed at the huge number of bicycles parked on the University of Shanghai campus. This was only one street of many, and it went as far as the eye could see in the other direction as well. There had to be ten thousand plus bikes. I guess thats what you get in a city of more that 23 Million People!!

I feel so fortunate to be in China for the next two months. I will be one of eight visiting artists of the ceramics department at Shanghai University for my first two weeks. Then off to Jingdezhen with West Virginia University until December. Here is two quick pictures out my hotel window in Shanghai. Notice all the cranes in the first picture, there is so much construction going on here it’s unreal.

 

I recently sent Red Lodge Clay Center a selection of new work.

Check the work out Here. Also watch for new work to be appearing

soon at AKAR design.

 

I will soon be headed to China! I’m

going to be a guest artist at the University of Shanghai and

West Virginia University at Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute.   

I have an upcoming solo exhibition at Mudfire Studios, in Decanter, GA, February 10 – March 4, 2012. You can see the show here.

If you happen be in the area there is an opening reception February 10, 5-9 pm.

 

Other news, I have taken a position at St. Lawrence University, NY. I will be filling in for the spring semester for a faculty member who had to take leave. This will keep me busy, and wont be making much work of a while. My Etsy Shop will be closed for the time being.