The Northerners:
Does Canadian ceramics have a unified identity, or does the immense physical and cultural geographies make the question of identity much more intricate and diverse? This current show is an endeavor to find common threads if any by exploring works of six Canadian artists, unified by their excellence in craft and individuality in art. There are nuances of calmness and serenity; simplicity and under-stated references to nature in the collected works. Is that the collective Canadian approach? This show is designed, not to offer conclusive answers but to stir up the original question. Robert Archambeau, Manitoba
Sheila Clennell, Ontario
Tony Clennell, Ontario
Bruce Cochrane, Ontario
Harlan House, Ontario
Cathi Jefferson, British ColumbiaShow runs August 20th to September 10th
Via AKAR DESIGN
So it would be much easier for me to simply post this exhibition information and remain quiet…maybe I should. I have an enormous respect for the work of AKAR and it’s staff. I truly believe that they show amazing ceramic art and are a force within the art community and the maker community which is creating value and presence for handmade craft in contemporary culture and marketplace. I also have a large amount of respect for the artists represented in this Northerners exhibition. That being said, I feel that there is a conversation presented by AKAR within this exhibition that should be addressed and discussed by Canadian ceramic artists and international artists as well. What is our identity? Do we have one? Do we need one? Do other countries have one? Did we not get the memo that we needed one?
Personally I feel that this is a question/comment that has been put forth in the past regarding the Canadian scene as a manner in which to attempt at understanding Canadian ceramics, which have potentially been neglected a bit due to their proximity to America. Even a shallow look at the contemporary Canadian ceramic scene shows a wealth of skill, approach and perspectives towards craft. So much so that could never be summed up simply. Could any other country’s ceramic craft production be summed up similarly?
I do not even begin to suggest that AKAR is attempting to find a conclusion to this question, nor do I believe that they should. Great in fact that they asked the question, i guess. But I do have to wonder about an exhibition which posses the question while exhibiting solely functional based works by a limited geographical region, (4 out of 6 from Ontario? We do have 10 provinces and 3 territories), and without much variety in generational perspectives. While there are many Canadian ceramic artists engaging with what makes Canada, well Canada, gorgeous nature, diversity, tradition, etc. There are also many who engage critically and conceptually with other diverse and more universal subject matter. I’m not trying to upset with these comments, and admittedly i’m likely coming across defensively. I guess I just wanted to put my 2 cents out there, even if they are late at night 2 cents, and therefore maybe only worth a penny (a canadian penny no less) in an attempt to get some discussion happening, here on the blog or elsewhere about exactly what AKAR is questioning with this exhibition – What is Canadian Ceramics? Thoughts?
I think your comments are akin to a hammer hitting the nail on the head. I especially agree with your regional concerns – we have provinces bigger than some countries and most states and yet 4/6 artists here are from ontario. maybe we need a series of 10-13 shows to begin to talk about this.
well done.
It's a show of a commercial gallery's artists who live in Canada. They put a curatorial question on the front of it, but it's not really, nor does it purport to be, a survey of the really exciting, challenging stuff going on north of the 49th. That would be an interesting show, perhaps worthy of a good curatorial proposal to NCECA or the Gardner.
I would tend to agree with both the above comments as well.With absolutely no disrespect directed towards the fantastic artists featured in this show, AKAR's selection of "Northern" works seems rather limited in scope. In no way does it encapsulate all the other interesting goings on in the ceramic world up here.
As for the question of discerning Canadian Ceramics…I am always a little leery of wrapping such a big debate up in such a seemingly tidy package. My own ceramics borrows from so many other culture's historical tradition that I can hardly claim it as "Canadian." T'is a tricky one.
Carol, Robin ,Steve: It is true "In Canada we eat our own!" Instead of comments of praise it is "Oh we were left out." The Canadians represented in this show are the only Canadian artists in the AKAR stable. Why don't you get your act together send some images and see if you can get into the AKAR yunomi show. That is how we got invited into "The Northerners". I'm sure the good folks at AKAR are thinking who needs these whining Canucks?" Thanks for your support,eh! Tc
Wow. Well, um, I don't think I was saying that I felt felt out of anything. I don't feel left out. My comments were more in support of Carole and her assertion that this particular idea – that of a Canadian Identity – could be discussed in further depth that is if it is even possible to say that the country has one. As Mariko says, a lot of Canadian Ceramics (and contemporary ceramics in general) borrow and are influenced from such a wide diversity that anything 'Canadian' would be hard to pin down.
And yes, why don't we 'get our act together' and have a show in this vein? Carole?
Finally, I think Carole was being supportive – raising concerns about a topic is not the same thing as whining.
Do excuse me if I sounded either disrespectful or unhappy – I am neither. More so, I am interested in potential of future discussions or exhibitions or the like.
Yow, I think I lost the tip of a finger there Tony!
I never said, nor felt, that I was left out of anything either. Nor were my comments meant to be in any way critical of the show, the gallery, or the artists. My only suggestion was that a broader show that explores the question of a Canadian identity in ceramic art would be a good one considering the wealth of great work being done here. That show, I presume, would include many of the artists in the AKAR show.
I feel I also must come to Carole's defense here: in her post, she is nothing if not effusive in her praise of AKAR, it's staff, the art they sell, and especially the artists in this show ("enormous respect," "amazing ceramic art"). Plenty of support there if you ask me. My point to her was only that AKAR is a commercial gallery, and as such is wont to show and sell the work of their artists, as any commercial gallery that wants to remain in business should!
Tony, quite to the contrary, no one here was wining about anything, we were merely having a discussion about the possibility of a larger show or series of shows to explore the question further. I bet we'd invite you, too!
Lighten up, eh! :^)
Robin: The Northerners was an exhibit of Canucks in the AKAR stable. Why would the people of AKAR search out the great ceramics of Canada from Nfld to BC? Why would they pick you or your soul mate Carole of Medalta? I get tired of Westerners nit picking about Eastern potters. I have never heard a Ontario potter that had nothing but praise for the potters of the West. If you want to look at the pedigree of The Northerners Show it was Cathi j of BC, Bruce Cochrane of Vancouver, Harlan House of Calgary, Tony C of Medicine Hat, Bob Archambeau of Manitoba and the only easterner is my wife Sheila of Edinburgh, Scotland. Want a Canadian exhibition and dialoque of Canadian ceramics then organize it don't expect a gallery in Iowa to do it for you!
Peace out!
Tony
Hi Tony, I am not sure we have ever met so I can't really tell how serious you are being right now. That being the case, I am going to respond to a couple of your comments. Excuse me if you are speaking with your cheek full of tongue.
Firstly, I don't think I ever said anything about the actual artists invovled in this show nor where they are from. I did express some shock that 4/6 artist were from one province and I feel that I would feel the same if the artists were from BC or Nova Scotia. I am not saying ANYTHING negative regarding the quality of the artist chosen or really the artists at all.
I also never even mentioned the gallery itself or how they picked their artists. Knowing that it is a commercial gallery of course it makes sense to choose artists from their stable. There is no reason why they would pick anyone else.
Finally, and I guess to the point of my original statement, I am only supporting Carole's thought that perhaps we should talk more about the identity/lack of identity in Canadian ceramics. I don't believe she was actually criticizing the show so much as the lack of discussion around this type of theme.
And yes. If i truly wanted to be a part of a show like this I would submit my work to a like minded curator. Or in the curatorial side of my mind, I am more interested in the Lack of Identity in Canadian ceramics (that being a positive thing).
Whew. Discussions are fun.
Whew, I agree with Robin discussions are fun!
But wow, first of all if you're going to get all touchy about things and offended you could validate your point by taking the time to spell a person's name right but that's just a different pet peeve entirely.
With an objective mind one would have read that Carole Epp was merely pondering the thought as I did too that it wasn't exactly the ideal representation she was still happy by my judgement that a show was focusing on us Canadian ceramic artists…Most of us who check out this blog can clearly see she is very supportive of fellow artists. It's a little disheartening to know others feel threatened by someone questioning and politely, I might add, asking for a dialogue.
Although this is exciting and surprising…there's always a plus, Carole has definitely received a response!
I hardly ever leave a comment here but this has certainly given food for thought…
I'm sure I too have offended someone in some way once or twice.
It's fun! It's getting attention so really it is a positive. Others will realize the closed minded individuals show their true colours by what they say and do and I'm sure have offended others in some way once or twice themselves.
Take Care Enjoy all your hard work clearly everyone involved is doing what they do for the love of it otherwise there wouldn't be such vasted interest in this dialogue.
Oh dear, well I must clarify as I seemed to have been mis-read. The last thing I was attempting to do was upset anyone or to make any of the artists or the gallery feel that I wasn’t supportive of this show. My intent was to encourage a dialogue. A dialogue of growth and inquiry into what might be Canadian ceramics or what even is a methodology to defining communities of practice. It is my belief that this was the same intent put forth by AKAR, to encourage a dialogue.
Please allow me to address directly some of the comments brought forth:
Agreed, it is a commercial gallery and they do have a stable of artists, so of course why would they go outside of that in curating an exhibition? I am not suggesting that they should have, I am however suggesting that attempting to represent a sense of what is “Canadian Ceramics” via 6 artists is an impossibility. I am not critiquing the choice of the artists for the exhibition in any way shape or form. I am merely acting upon the questioning that AKAR presents in their statement. I was trying to offer my perspective through answering their questions.
I for one don’t believe “we eat our own” in Canada. I would never want to take that position. In fact much of my work on Musing About Mud has been an attempt to expose and highlight some of the amazing work that is created here in Canada. My goal is and has always been community building rather than putting up walls. I fear that there is an inherent shyness to many Canadians in that we don’t boast our accomplishments and those of our comrades enough. I am always in search of more Canadian content.
I also do not take the pity position either. I do not feel left out. I am simply striving for more, and those are two different things. One is about growth and a desire for challenges. The other is about whining. I am not whining.
I feel like I must address the comment regarding my “Medalta soul mate”. I appreciate my friends and contemporaries in the Ceramics community for their support, for their insight, for their friendship and for their own individual attempts through whatever means to build this community. Heaven forbid like-minded people get together in support of each other and work together. Yes Robin and I have worked together in the past, we also have an exhibition together in a little over a month. We link to each other’s blogs from time to time. This is not for self-serving purposes. It is to have conversations, public conversations through the amazing platform of blogs and social networking. My goal is always simply to get more people talking, arguing, agreeing, moving forward, defining, critiquing, supporting, inspiring. Conversation is what it’s about. And because of that I thank you all for your comments and I encourage everyone reading this to continue this conversation regarding what is Canadian ceramic identity; who are we? What are we making? I want to know. That’s why I’m here, that’s why I’m blogging.
And lastly regarding the idea of a more comprehensive exhibition of Canadian ceramics, I’d love to be involved in the project. Who’s with me? Where should we begin?
This show is less of an attempt to posit a "unified identity" for Canadian ceramics than it is a packaging of six established and successful artists into a consumable product for a (primarily) American audience. Can you imagine this being shown at any gallery, commercial or otherwise, in Canada?
That notwithstanding, I can see how this fits well with the sort of liberal/intellectual clientele this gallery likely garners. It is a depiction of Canada as a sort of uncomplicated utopian place free of the troubles and controversy that so often appear in American art and society.
Thanks, Carole, for your critical and constructive sense.
Carole: For one of the best overviews of Canadian ceramics in the past decade one should have a copy of the lastest of Robin Hopper's books. Robin has done more to promote Canadian Ceramics than any one I know. His internationally marketed books contain over 80% Canadian content when it comes to the colour photos. If you where on his ceramic radar which I think was very far reaching from coast to coast you'd be represented.
Like you I have been blogging since 2007. When I get more than 2 comments I know I have struck a cord. You struck one with me. Being on the radar is hard work. No one has ever come and discovered me. Representing Canada in an all inclusive show will piss a pack of ceramists off. I wouldn't want any part of that curator's job.
Bon feu!
Tony
Thanks Tony, I am quite well aware of Robin Hopper and his tireless work promoting Canadian ceramic arts. I have had the pleasure to meet him, chat with him and learn from him in a workshop environment. He is a generous artist as well as honest and forthcoming with support and critique. His promotion of Canadian artists nationally and internationally is something which in my own humble ways I try to emulate through this blog by providing not only a perspective of my practice but a source of information for the international community. It may be a small attempt, but I do hope I provide a service to artists and organizations alike, through promoting individuals and their work, galleries and craft based organizations, craft-based research endeavors, guilds and the like.
While an attempt at organizing a Canadian ceramic overview exhibition may be an immense undertaking, and yes many artists who apply might be upset by not being included for one reason or another by a curator, I like to think that we are all adults and able to accept a level of rejection or critique from which we can grow as an artist. I think artists would rather see an attempt at such national promotion than a lack thereof due to fear of pissing people off.
Respectfully – Carole
I know I am going to strike a chord with this response ( I am chuckling as I write this to those who can't infer the tone of my writing).
To Mike's great words: "It is a depiction of Canada as a sort of uncomplicated utopian place free of the troubles and controversy that so often appear in American art and society" I have this to note. A NY Times article about said utopian country of Canada also referred to it's inhabitants as "as apology of Canadians." NOW I must quickly clarify/connect this statement with the whole argument about, well arguing. We ALL get that AKAR chose from it's stable of Canadian artists and that's totally to be expected. For them to take on the unrealistic task of scouring the country for other ceramic artist would be plain silly so no one is faulting them for their curatorial efforts. The work in the show is fantastic (as is always demonstrated by the likes Cathi Jefferson et al), but I dare say that AKAR was in the least bit concerned over this particularly annoying brand of nattering that "Smokie Clennell" has incited.
A dialogue yes is always welcome and thank you to Carole and all her cermicky soul mates for engaging us. Sometimes discussions do touch on a nerve or two, but NOTHING brought up by those making thoughtful and intellectual comments thus far warrants an "apologetic" tone (sorry Smokie). This gal's going to stand behind her thoughts and postings from now on…How un-Canadian..
PS Why would we eat our own…we just taste like pancakes anyway.
yummy yummy pancakes indeed!
thanks Mariko.
Ah good a Billy Bob comment. Canadians are pancakes! You in the West do listen to Jian live from Toronto- Ontario. I read the original post and figured it was Robin Dupont. I thought holy shit this Ontario boy has been so supportive and encouraging of his career and especially grad school and then this. I took a swing and hit the wrong guy. Sorry Robin Dupont- the one I know and have worked with.
Carole have you ever curated a guild show? You will have people hate you cause their precious work wasn't accepted. Judging by the size of our country this is going to need a big home- how about Sky Dome in Toronto or were you thinking the Saddle Dome in Calgary?
You couldn't pay me enuff to take on that job.
I'll make sure the 300 potters in my local Hamilton Potters Guild get an application- said tonque in cheek.
Dang I've never had 16 comments on a blog post. Way to go!
tc
If at all possible I would like to try to curve the comments back to a positive conversation regarding what is canadian ceramics, as this is an incredibly interesting topic, and the initial intent of this blog post. Currently, and it's quite a shame, but Tony you are steering this post and it's comments off topic and towards creating a poor name for Canadian ceramic artists. In your own words "taking a swing". As editor of this blog I would ask that a more productive and supportive approach to comments be taken. That is not to say that criticism not be included, but preferably constructive criticism.
We would all like to see more Canadian comprehensive ceramics exhibitions, here in Canada and internationally. And by comprehensive I mean of large content or scope, wide-ranging; not all inclusive. If you want no part of that Tony that's fine. However it's a shame that someone of your experience would not want to contribute to building this community.
Canadians are so polite. It's not your fault that he is completely misinterpreting everything you are saying.
Whoa. Very very interesting. Carole–I love this blog. Thank you for your incredible work creating community, sharing your amazing art, keeping everyone informed, initiating discussion, and mediating with dignity. I think you are touching on an issue (What is Canadian Ceramic Art?) that is writ large in the North American ceramics community (What is Ceramic ARt?) to some extent, but which I really think boils down to What is Good ceramic art? I do tend to think that the general understanding of, interest in, and appreciation for ceramic art in Canada is pretty adolescent and frankly, kind of anodyne at times. Your initial post in regards to the "Northerners" show I found to be pertinent and insightful. Lee and I just checked out the show online, and…ok. All beautifully-made, some of it lovely, lots isn't our cup of tea. Clearly it would be suicidal to actually delve into a real critique, considering the knickers-in-knots happening here–too bad. Does the Canadian ceramic scene suffer from insularity, incestuousness and in-fighting? Um, well… Maybe it's just that we're getting ready to crack a little bit wider. I suppose the very fact that AKAR–arbiter of taste as they seem to be–is acknowledging a Canadian "presence" is a good start, but at the same time, even as a small show of old Canuck guys & gals, "Northerners" is sparse (John Chalke? Wayne Ngan? where are you?). (Incidentally, Lee and I have "got our act together" and submitted twice to AKAR in the past 3 years with nary so much as a form rejection letter…boo!)
As far as moving forward to create the kind of energy, momentum and interest that might be lacking in the Canadian scene, woodfiring is our (mine and Lee's) personal interest, and I have been thinking for a while that the Gardiner Museum needs to have a show of young (young and old?) Canadian Woodfiring ceramists (look at Australia's crazy healthy woodfire scene), so thank you for re-galvanizing me in that direction.
And how about a show of The Figure in Canadian Clay? That would cross process-oriented boundaries and could generate a beautiful dialogue on identity from so many perspectives.
So much to think about! Love the discussion.
yo clark