Terra in China - China in Terra
Terra in China - China in Terra is a cultural exchange between two cities strongly associated with ceramics.
During a six-week stay at the ceramic studios of Jiansheng Li in Sanbao, near Jingdezhen, a group of outstanding Dutch artists / ceramists will explore the possibilities of local material and techniques within the framework of the Chinese culture. The artists invited to participate were selected on the grounds of their artistic qualities, cultural enterprise and the diversity of their work.
The selected artists are Peter Keizer, Mieke de Groot, Henk Wolvers, Olav Slingerland en Mariette van der Ven. Simone Haak joins in as co-ordinator and to solve upcoming problems. With a weblog Simone will make the progress public. The address of this weblog is http://terrainchinachinainterra.logze.nl/
During this artist-in-residence project each Dutch artist will establish a working relationship with one Chinese ceramist, the idea being that such a one-to-one relationship will intensify the experience of the project. The Chinese participants have been selected in consultation with contact persons in Jingdezhen.
Characteristic of her representations are the abstracts, autonomous objects of mathematical proportions. They seem to float, despite their robustness. Their interface is the point at which the shape is in balance. The dimensions and the ratios reflect the harmonious balance of natural growth processes. Harmony is also recognisable in the use of colours, often blue and green tints, and in the game played by light and shadow on the surface.
As a painter, he was extremely expressive in his intense experience of nature. Colourful blossom against a dazzling blue sky, formed in pasty layers of paint. His use of a palette can also be seen in the figures he created when he began working in three dimensions. The hollow objects are made from glazed ceramics, sometimes coated roughly with a layer of oil paint. They appear coarse, reminding us of the rough strokes of his paintings.
This artist discovered the art of small-scale casting of ceramics during his Industrial Design study.By keeping control of the total process from design to end product, he is able to produce small series of a very personal nature.His earthenware bowls and dishes are characterised by the combination of terra sigillata and glossy glaze. His objects explore the limits of traditional craft and design.
Her artworks centre on the human figure, and not only on the attractive version, but also that which is regarded to be less appealing.They develop from a deep involvement in all possible human forms, always based on figuration.Her interference in reality is exactly enough to make us aware of the reality or precisely of the absurdity of the apparently normal world.The pieces initially seem poetic:monochrome white and combined with soft materials such as textiles and leather.On closer perusal, their poignant appearance invokes intimate feelings, which will remain with us.
He creates his objects of ultra-fine porcelain by working from the material itself while searching for its limits.Like a sheet of paper, the white porcelain surfaces invite him to add lines and coloured planes.The drawing is an essential part of the form, sometimes applied using porcelain slips and a comb between two thin layers of clay.A glossy, transparent glaze contrasts with the matt porcelain or deepens a colour detail.The objects invite us to experience perfection by delighting our sight but also our touch.