As I am just embarking on a new project freshly funded by the Arts Council of England (so fresh I am still to receive the first paycheque!), I thought it would be fun (and might be mildly entertaining or a teeny bit interesting) to document the rise and fall and ongoing progress of it all.
The project is a Danish-British exchange around contemporary ceramics. I am about to start a residency at Guldagergaard International Ceramic Research Centre in Denmark, where I am planning to make a large scale new piece of work leading on from a research and development residency at Guldagergaard last summer. This artwork will form a focal point and set the context for an exhibition of Danish Contemporary Ceramics at The Ceramic House in May this year and will later be exhibited at the Biennial: European Ceramic Context 2014 in Bornholm, Denmark, September-November 2014.
The Ceramic House is a personal project that has been evolving since its launch in 2011. I am transforming my home in Brighton into a work of art and making a showcase of my ceramic and glass creations. Essentially, I am treating the house and garden as I would any of my public realm commissions. Each May I curate exhibitions of ceramic art in this context, when it is open to the public as part of Artists Open Houses during the Brighton Festival. The 2013 show was widely acclaimed with 21 leading international ceramists and The Ceramic House was awarded Best Artists Open House 2013.
There are 15 leading internationally recognised Danish ceramists lined up for the upcoming show Fantastic Tales: Danish Contemporary Ceramics, which will be open to the public every weekend in May. I had a great time visiting many of them in their studios on a research trip last September and I am thrilled to say that this is a treat in store! For exhibition details see www.theceramichouse.co.uk
The Embassy of Denmark is supporting the project and the University of Brighton is hosting artists talks to run alongside the show.
I am working with a team towards the success of this project including mentors, a curator, a designer, a photographer and a filmmaker, to mention but a few. Prior to the residency, I had sessions with three mentors covering business skills, marketing and developing a curatorial framework, all of which were hugely informative. I also had meetings with the design team who will be contributing to the catalogue, a step up for my exhibitions at The Ceramic House.
I have also been feeding information about the show to various press and PR people, with several articles/features in the pipeline.
So I’ve got my work cut out for me! Keep up with my progress by logging on here or on to www.theceramichouse.co.uk
Exhibition Details
Fantastic Tales: Danish Contemporary Ceramics
Artist curator: J Kay Aplin
Venue: The Ceramic House, 75 Stanmer Villas, Brighton BN1 7HN
Exhibition dates: Saturdays and Sundays in May 2014 (3/4, 10/11, 17/18, 24/25 May)
The cross-spectrum of artforms – sculpture, installation, performance, tableware and wall pieces – will create a significant exhibition of Danish Contemporary Ceramics.
Exhibiting artists
Karen Harsbo, Lone Skov Madsen, Turi Heisselberg Pedersen, Mette Maya Gregersen, Lone Borgen, Malene Hartmann Rasmussen, Sten Lykke Madsen, Heidi Hentze, Anne Nielsen, Charlotte Thorup, Louise Gaarmann, Jane Holmberg, Pia Lund Hansen, Helle Hansen and Christin Johansson is developing a site-specific performance installation.
