Canadian Clay Symposium March 20, 2004

Tam Irving, Presenter confined rooted in doing a5 a way of secing while reminding students that it is not so much the skills that coum, but how they are used to express something felt about their hu- Mian Experience.

Although this is a brief summary of Tam’s. very full life, it gives insight into factors that have influenced his current work, Por the past few years, be has created a sencs. of Srilf Lifes, Using both thrown and slip- cast clements, which be has glazed using natural local matenals, he assembles his pleces Constructing spaccs on a shelf that he sometimes frames, Light falls over the subtly muted natural places, custing shad- ows and emphasizing negative and posi- live spaces, In the finished sculpture, the spaces arc as significant us the physical elements. In Sri! Remembered and Earth Sell, the forms are derived from laboratory glassware. He admires these shapes for their functional simplicity and elegance. “T like the contracliction of giving impor- lance to ordinariness.” The elevanon of ordinary objects mito formal constructions directs the viewer to contemplate formal relationships of space, colour, rhythm and surface while still referencing functional associations. This interest in the ordinary extends to his use of local minerals and rocks for glazes. They are commen mate- nals, nored by gemmologists, but Tam finds beauty in their naturalness and pleas- ure in their Connection to the Brash Columbian environment. Narrative of Failure represents all those accidents — warping, sagging, splitting and bloating — thal express the narrative of a creative life working in clay. Referring to this se- nics, he questions, “Could the detrims of purpose ultimately be more interesting than purpose itself’? Am I blinded by my intent? Might this be applied to life im a wider sense?” The still lifes are like an artiat’s sketch book compiling and reflect- Ing memories and ideas.

Compiled by Letia Richardson in discursien with Tara irving and frown articles in Fiosion, Contact ond International Academy af Ce- ramics OF college

NovemberDecember 20003

Re-inventing the Wheel

Registretion for the 3nd biennial Canadian Clay Symposium has officially begun! The first two symposiums sold out before the early bird registration deadline (Janu. ary 31) 0 be sure lo register early. Bro- chures have been sent to guilds throughout the province. Check with your guild for a brochure,

Congratulations to Walter Ostrom who is receiving the Saidye Bronfman Award for excellence in fine crafts. He is certainly deserving of this award as you'll exper- ence al the symposium. Walter has been an amazing maker as well as teacher at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. With enthusiasm he speaks in a way that really engages you.

Our spectacular line wp of preacnters for the 3rd biennial Canadian Clay Sympo- sium is:

Linda Christianson

Anne Hiromdelic

Feith Rice-Jones

Michael Osbome

Carol Mayer

‘Tam Irving

. Jane Hamlyn

a

“

. Ichiao Yamashita . Walter Ostrom 10. Hank Murrow*

© so 3

Potters Guild of British Columbia Newsletter

*There will be a [000th finng of the top hat fibre kiln at the Shadbolt Centre for the Aris, probably during the Symposium. To celebrate this event we have asked Hank Murrow to be our tenth presenter, He will discuss this unusual kiln as well as demon- strate his style of taceting, As well, Hank is quite a tool guy so he'll be showing ws a bunch of different tool ideas.

Now is the time to letus know about a topec idea you have for the Symposium. We have some ideas thal arc coming together, but we would really appreciate your inpul. What would you really like to have dis- cussed? The winning idea means that you attend the Symposium FREE. Such adeal!

We have been very fortunate to have fan- Lastic support from the Potters Guild of BC newsletter for the Symposium night from the start. Letia, editor extraordinaire, has been responsible for putting this most ex. cellent newsletter together and we'd sure like to say thank vou so much for all her help and support. It has been such a pleas- ure lo work wath hes,

Cathi Jefferson M4929. 9175

Works by Presenters Above: Michael Oshorne Untied Ceramic Senuiprare 199]

Left: chizo Yamashita Qancing Sake Ewer DOD-3, porcelain fired to 12HOKC, decorated with underglacnse blue and a thord firing for owerglace enamels (applied aver the fired glaze), and fired at S800. See the mext paige for more information about this cerumist.