Operated by the Calgary Contemporary Arts Society

Current Exhibit: March 17 - May 7, 2005

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Special Art Program Celebrating the Centennial of Alberta

Groundswell:
Emerging Ceramic Artists in Alberta

This exhibit brings together the work of Chris Faulkner, Tyler Fritz, Robin Lambert, Carmen Schroeder, Andi Silver, and Cathy Terepocki, six emerging artists involved in the Alberta ceramics community. Spanning a range of concepts, and employing diverse techniques, these up-and-coming ceramic artists all share an understanding of the traditional approaches of their medium. Within the field of contemporary ceramics, as in any craft discipline, there still exists a significant emphasis on the mastery of traditional skills and technologies. These ceramicists, having all spent time either in post-secondary ceramics and sculpture programs, and continuing to work independently toward developing their practices, are certainly a part of this tradition.

Although their background in crafts(wo)manship has informed their practices in regards to dealing with issues of process and function, it has not been the sole source of inspiration for these ceramic artists. Nor has it limited the topics that they are able to address through their work and its content. Either through their approaches to display and installation, references to recent and historical pop-culture, or construction of narrative scenarios, these artists all use ceramics as a vehicle for addressing concepts beyond those presented by considerations of material and technique. Following in the footsteps of their ceramic forerunners (represented by the accompanying Form & Fire exhibit), they are making work, which speaks to both traditional and contemporary concerns, as well as contributing to discourses both within and beyond their field.

Nicole Burisch
Guest Curator

List of Images:

1. Chris Faulkner – Untitled, 2005; ceramic, wood. Collection of the artist. Photo courtesy of the artist.
2. Cathy Terepocki – Dr. Tucker Listens, 2004; mid-fire ceramic with screen-printed image. Collection of the artist. Photo courtesy of the artist.
3. Carmen Schroeder – Pink Gun Cup, 2005; medium-fired ceramic. Collection of the artist. Photo courtesy of the artist.
4. Tyler Fritz – Vessel/Cup (from Plunger & Cup), 2005; salt-fired ceramic. Collection of the artist. Photo courtesy of the artist.
5. Robin Lambert – Dream Object, 2005; photograph. Collection of the artist. Photo courtesy of the artist.
6. Andi Silver – La Belle Dame Sans Merci, 2003; cone 10 paper-clay. Collection of the artist. Photo courtesy of the artist.