Matter of Clay III Update - June 25

Okay we are heading into the home stretch leading up to the opening of 2011's Matter of Clay III August 4. It would be understating it to say that we are merely excited. It goes beyond that as this will not only be the third Matter of Clay exhibition it will also officially mark ten years of concerted effort of getting the word out that there is an exciting viable clay art scene in Canada. It is an art scene that embraces all of Canada from Reed Weir's perch on an outcropping of the Newfoundland coast called Robinson's to Mary Fox in Ladysmith British Columbia where she is  now ensconced in her newly designed home and studio. It is a scene that includes Astrid Kruse in the Northwest Territories and our southernmost artist Bernadette Pratt in our own London, Ontario.

The ceramic mosaic that is Matter of Clay III includes artists that have immigrated to Canada from all parts of the world as well as First Nations. They are united in a quest for excellence and their output ranges from the the functional to the wildly abstracted. They are all ages. The eldest is Dean Mullavey from North Hatley, Quebec whose professional career has had him kiln hopping in some of the most famous kilns in North America: Gaetan Beaudin's, Otto & Vivika Heino's to say nothing of an anecdotal moment with the iconic Beatrice woods in her studio when she was 100. Beatrice, who died at 104, was often asked the key to her longevity. Her oft-repeated reply was 'I owe it all to chocolate and young men, not necessarily in that order" Dean was the first person I have met who had heard the phrase straight from her lips.

There are currently over 100 artists participating and it was a thrill to finally be able to persuade Ron Roy to participate. Ron is a noted glaze specialist and prying some work out of him for the Matter of Clay exhibition took some doing. Fortunately I was aided and abetted by Liz Willoughby, another artist participating in the exhibition. They are delivering the work to the gallery on Monday. That'll be a good reason to open a bottle of wine.

Diane Brouilette has just connected to let us know that her pieces are on the way. I am hoping there will be one of her exquisite little teapots. I was too slow off the mark at a past exhibition and missed out on acquiring a sweet little purple teapot that I can still see just out of my grasp.

Puffins are making a huge hit in London. Reed Weir of Newfoundland made 100 of the little guys and they are a flock that is rapidly diminishing. it would appear that Londoners are puffin mad and we are selling them by the colony! They are cute and totally irresistible  and, like potato chips, you can't stop at just one!

It is a wee bit busy so I am going to sign off for now and will get back to you on Monday!

Back from Victoria & Fired-Up! annual exhibition

Brian and I arrived back Tuesday May 31st on the WestJet red-eye from Victoria where we had been since Wednesday May 25th attending and participating in the 27th annual Fired-Up exhibition at the Metchoisin hall. It was an extraordinary time. This year's exhibition was titled "Axis of Art", a phase I coined  to describe the relationship between Creator-Connector-Collector.

It was the first time the gallery has traveled out of London to exhibit and it was the first time that Fired-Up had invited a gallery to participate in their annual exhibition. It was also the first time that Fired-Up had allowed work by artists from outside of BC to participate. Brian and I brought a selection of work from across Canada. We would have loved to have brought examples from all the artists we represent but it wouldn't have been practical. Our goal was to provide a taste of what is available in London, Ontario and to promote our upcoming event "Matter of Clay III" August 4- Sept 2. Matter of Clay is held every five years and this year the number of artists participating is over 100. More about that later as I really want to let you know about our BC Fired-Up! experience. In short: It was amazing!!!

If you don't know who the Fired-Up! members are then check out their website www.firedup.ca There are eleven core members: Marlene Bowman, Pat Webber, Alan Burgess, Glenys Marshall-Inman Gordon Hutchens, Meg Burgess, Cathi Jefferson, Susan Delatour Lepoidevin, Gary Merkel, Meira Mathison, and Kinichi Shigeno. They are awesome! They are a group bound by quality and a desire to educate. Their work runs the gamut from functional to wildly abstracted. I believe that as a group they may be unique in Canada. Certainly it is the only group that i represent in its' entirety.

As a departure from their normal event schedule the exhibition opened on Thursday evening and attendance was strong right up to the exhibition closing on Sunday at 4 PM. A wonderful article by Times Colonist art critic Robert Amos certainly was a factor in drawing in the crowds. you can read his article at http://www.timescolonist.com/travel/fired+over+rock+stars+pottery/4842480/story.html .

I also had the pleasure of meeting Robert Amos. He is an artist in his own right who has been creating a visual record  of Victoria over the years. Robert has also published a book featuring artists' studios and though Walter Dexter RCA was not an artist featured in his book "Artists in Their Studios" he did photograph Walter's studios both in Metchoisin and in Victoria. You should check it out at http://www.robertamos.com/Robert_2011/Books.html. I am looking forward to getting to know Robert better as it is always a pleasure to meet some one with a passion and Robert certainly has a passion for Victoria and the art of Vancouver Island. Speaking of people and passion I also got to meet Diane Carr. Diane ran a gallery in Victoria in the seventies.called The Potter's Wheel. It was fascinating hearing from her stories about the fine craft scene in Victoria as it is always fascinating to hear from people who harbour a passion.

Brian Cooke, the gallery curator, manager and without whom I would be lost, arranged a selection of work from across Canada. It was not as extensive as we would have liked but time and space create limits within which we had to work. Brian's passion for the work of Goyer-Bonneau of Quebec was full exposed by the enthusiasm he showed describing and selling the re-issue of 'Pea-Soup' a tureen first designed in 1979 and reissued this year in a limited edition of 40. Brian sold six in Victoria bringing to 31 the number currently spoken for. There are 4 left at $2,000 before they jump to $2,500. It is truly a Canadian Classic and if you are interested in getting one please act soon! It took us eight years to get Alain and Denise to agree to reissue it and we have sold 31 since May 2!

A trip to Victoria without seeing Walter Dexter would be incomplete. It was wonderful seeing Walter and of course now that I am writing a book on Walter it was particularly important that we connect. I came a way with some wonderful ephemera that will help in finishing off the book. the soft launch of  "DEXTER - studio artist" is slated to coincide with the opening of "Matter of Clay III" August 4th. The Ronald Frye publishing house in Toronto will be handling the publication and the passion of Sebastian Frye will ensure a quality book

As I said "Fired-Up!'s 27th annual exhibition was amazing. My theory 'Axis of Art' certainly had a baptism by fire and came through stronger than ever. The truth of the matter is we got to put to test the concept in ways that I had not imagined possible. The nuances of the Axis of Art definitely deserve a good bottle of wine to enhance the experience.

Here it is Saturday afternoon and Susan MacAlpine-Foshay is probably just getting ready to land in Halifax. Susan, former director of the Mary E Black gallery in Halifax and former gallery owner, graciously gave up two weeks of her time to come to London and run the gallery while Brian and I were away. It was very reassuring being away knowing that the gallery was in her capable hands.

While in Victoria we also got to see Mary Fox from Ladysmith. Mary is a wonderful artist and sculptor and she will be flying out to attend the opening of  "Matter of Clay III" in August. Actually we also bumped into Louise Card and her husband Craig Rogers both are planning to attend and both will be represented in the exhibition.

I probably have a lot more to say but think I had better close off but not before commenting on the wonderful people of the island who attended the exhibition and regaled us with stories of their connections to Fired-Up!, the artists and their work. Remembering that relationships are what make a successful "Axis of Art" it is important to acknowledge all those that came to view and support this year's 27th annual exhibition. Thank you one and all and to all a good day!

Jonathon

Victoria and Fired-Up! Axis of Art

Time is starting to accelerate. Only a few more days before Brian and I head off to Victoria for the opening of the Fired-Up! 27th anniversary exhibition at the Metchoisin Community Centre at 4401 William Head Road. I am really looking forward to this event. It has been in the works for a year now and all the hard work of the Fired-Up! members is about to bear fruit. This is a first as not only will there be incredible work by the eleven core members but for the first time there will be work by other leading ceramic artists. Brian and I have sent work by Reed Weir (NL), Judy Blake (NB), Goyer-Bonneau RCA (PQ), Zsuzsa Monostory (ON), as well as a number of other artists.

Another reason for excitement is the soft launch of "Walter Dexter - Studio Artist" the first in a series of books on Canadian ceramic artists authored by myself. Using Walter's incredible torso vases as a catalyst for the story the book will trace his career from its beginnings in Alberta up to now. A remarkable artist this lavishly illustrated book is a must-have for anyone interested in the rich history of ceramic art in Canada.

Join us opening night, Thursday May 26th,  starting at 6PM>

Goyer Bonneau Tureen - A Canadian Classic

Goyer Bonneau designed, in 1979, a tureen titled "French Pea Soup". It is an incredible design and was juried into a travelling exhibition hosted by Campbell Soup titled "Soup, Soup, Beautiful Soup!" that toured for two years in the early eighties. Brian and I have been bugging them for almost ten years to reintroduce the tureen as we both love the design. Finally May 2nd, 2011 we received an email and a photo telling us that the first tureen was ready. Alain and Denise decided that the edition would be limited to 40, the number of  unused handles left from 1979. The price? #'s 1 to 10 $450 (sold out in hours) #'s 11 to 20 $550 (sold out by May 14th) #'s 21 to 30 $650 (only seven left at this price). The final ten will be $2,000 each. This is truly a Canadian Classic created with cultural content as many of their designs are. The name referenced the slang term used to describe Frenchmen.

It is with great pleasure that we present the reintroduction of "French Pea Soup" in black porcelain.

Fired Up Exhibition Opens May 26th

We are now ten days away from opening night of Fired-Up! Axis of Art in Victoria BC. Brian and I are excited to be the first ceramic art gallery asked to participating their annual exhibition now in its 27th year! Not only is this an opportunity to see the latest work from the core members of Fired Up it will also be an opportunity for people to see work by artists from other provinces. We have shipped out work from:

Bruce Cochrane RCA Ontario, Astrid Kruse NWT. Reed Weir NL, Ann Mortimer RCA Ontario, Jane Wilson Ontario, Zsuzsa Monostory Ontario, Judy Blake New Brunswick, Goyer Bonneau  RCA Quebec, Ann Beam Ontario, Renee Gagnon Quebec, Mimi Cabri  RCA Ontario, Sarah Link RCA Ontario, Judy Donaldson Ontario, Audrey Killoran Quebec, Roger Kerslake Ontario, Harlan House RCA Ontario, Liz Willoughby Ontario, Sean Kuntz Alberta

This will provide an incredible opportunity for the public to see not only ceramics created by the talented Fired Up! Members but also by other leading ceramic artists from across the country.

Opening night this year is on Thursday night and many of our clients and friends from Ontario and Michigan are flying out to attend. 

The theme this year is the "Axis of Art", the relationship between Creator-Connector-Collector. Take advantage of a wonderful opportunity to meet the creators, get involved with the connector and meet other collectors. Opportunities like this are few and far between so take advantage and go!

"Still On Track"

James Kirkpatrick has established himself as one of Canada’s leading outer-edge artists with a recognizable style that has earned him a devoted following across North America, in Japan and in Europe. He has participated in numerous groups shows including the critically acclaimed ‘Pulp Fiction” that toured eastern Canada from our own Museum London to Toronto’s MOCCA closing at St Mary’s Gallery in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

“STILL ON TRACK” features new work by James as well as introducing James’ sound sculptures based on his most recent paintings. Included in the exhibition is the largest of the sound sculptures recently featured during the LOLA festival where it was displayed in Victoria Park.

Guest artist Jamie Q will present examples of her most recent work and additional works created in collaboration with feature artist James Kirkpatrick.

For additional information: 519-434-5443 or brian@jonathons.ca

UPSTARTS

Exhibition: “Upstarts” August 6, 2010 – September 3, 2010
An Exhibition of Canada’s Finest Living Ceramic Artists born pre-1940

Venue: Jonathon Bancroft-Snell Gallery

258 Dundas Street, London, Ontario

Contact person: Jonathon jonathon@jonathons.ca

519-434-5443 or toll-free 1-866-229-5244

The Group of Seven artists and Les Automatistes are the painters who changed how Canadians and the world looked at painting in Canada. Similarly a group of ceramic artists changed how we look at clay in Canada. The exhibition “Upstarts” at Jonathon Bancroft-Snell Gallery, London, Ontario (http://www.jonathons.ca/) is a tribute to these artists, their creativity and their tenacity in changing how we look at ceramic art.

Born prior to 1940 the participating artists are witnesses to an extraordinary period of huge social change. Their lives have been influenced and affected by a world depression, a world war, and the dramatic rise of the middle class. The traditional iconic role of clay as a medium for function was first acknowledged and then often ignored by many of the exhibiting artists. They chose instead, as did the artists in other mediums, to test and challenge both the material and the public’s perception of what constitutes ceramic art. They are the “Upstarts”. They are the artists who have worked in relative obscurity when compared to painters, often ignored by the arts elite. It is time to recognize their contribution to Canada’s art mosaic.

The evolution from functional wares to the avant-garde began primarily in the sixties and seventies, a time of enormous social and political change. Some of the pioneers, Ruth Gowdy-McKinley RCA (d.1981), Luke Lindoe RCA (d.2001), Walter Drohan (d.2007), Marilyn Levine (d.2005) are no longer with us. However many of these great Canadian artists, who participated in this new approach to ceramic art, are still alive.  The exhibition “Upstarts” is to honour and recognize these artists.  

The exhibition “Upstarts”, August 5 -September 2^, is a tribute to those artists who are still creating and enriching our lives through their art. Each of the participating artists is over seventy; some are in their eighties. They come from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds and from all over Canada. Their ranks include Saidye Bronfman Award winners, Royal Canadian Academy (RCA) members and Order of Canada recipients. They have exhibited and are represented in every museum in the world that houses contemporary Canadian ceramic art.  “Upstarts” is an exhibition showcasing Canada’s great artists who, working in clay, have forever changed the way we look at ceramics. These are the artists who have provided inspiration to generations of ceramic artists nationally and internationally. They have headed the ceramic departments of Canada’s leading art schools and universities. This exhibition is a tribute to them and an opportunity for novices and collectors alike to connect with the best in Canada, living national treasures who are the “Upstarts”. 

Lois Etherington-Betteridge, metal artist, is included in this exhibition of her peers in recognition of her contribution, in a like manner, to the art of metalsmithing.  

Please feel free to contact me for any additional information.

Regards,

Jonathon Bancroft-Snell