Ceramics!? Well, that’s just bananas! See what I did there? Okay, anyway, this is the ceramic work of Japanese artist (who studied in Italy) Koji Kasatani. I have a feeling he played with his food when he was a kid… and I’m so glad he hasn’t stopped!

#notcardboard #ceramics … um, what? Yep, those are the two hashtags that Australian artist Scott Duncan, aka @ol_slamzee on Instagram, has to include in all of his recent posts because, yeah, that cardboard ain’t cardboard… it’s ceramic earthenware that looks exactly like cardboard! Looooove.

Mmmmm, yummy! From ceramics to collages, dumplings to beer… these are just a few of the pieces included in “Potluck”, a totally stacked group show opening at Hashimoto Gallery in San Francisco {804 Sutter St} this Saturday, June 29th from 6 to 9pm. I’ll give you one guess to figure out the theme:

“Inspired by community and connections created around food, this dynamic group show brings together artists working in ceramics, drawing, painting and beyond for a delicious exploration in our relationships with food.

Featuring 28 artists from the San Francisco Bay Area, nationally and internationally, [Potluck] includes a diverse range of experiences culturally, emotionally and conceptually. Drawing inspiration from the community created around gathering for a meal and the preparation of food, each artist brings unique memories and histories embedded in what we eat. Each piece offers the viewer a personal perspective of food, ranging from favorite dishes and places, intimate domestic scenes, celebratory occasions and nostalgic recollections.”

Featuring new works by: Laura Berger | Sarah Carolan | Jeffrey Cheung | Lauren Corden | Brian de Graft (1st shown above) | Amanda Dunham | Nicole Dyer | Dan Gluibizzi | Casey Gray | Liz Hernandez | Celia Jacobs | Sam Keller (3rd shown above)| Katie Kimmel | Ness Lee | Quentin Monge | Rebecca Ness | Kellie Orr | Hilda Palafox | Pedro Pedro | Petites Luxures | Joel Daniel Phillips | Stephanie H. Shih (4th shown above) | Jessica So Ren Tang | Lorien Stern (2nd shown above) | Anna Valdez (5th shown above) | Chelsea Wong | Joey Yu

ps. “Potluck”, curated by Dasha Matsuura, runs until July 20th, 2019.

Oh. My. Word. This ceramic sculpture – yes, I said CERAMIC – is titled “C’est ne pas de la tarte”, and is the latest work of UK based artist Anna Barlow. I wrote about her drippy ceramic ice cream cones five years ago, but as you can see, things have gotten a little more decadent. Here are Anna’s words about this bowl full of indulgent goodness:

“This piece was made especially for the Bernaudaud Foundation in Limoges for an exhibition called “Miam!” It was a chance to look at 19^th century Limoges porcelain and consider the change in the culture of eating dessert.

I feel that confections today are a testament to how international food culture has become, with takaki cones, matcha flavours and Pocky sticks from Japan; bubble cones and super- size portions from USA; macaroons from France and the English cupcakes and roses.

I believe there is a macho, relaxed “more is more” trend in eating at the moment – very different from the elaborate, formal dining of the 19^th century where only the well-off could partake. By filling a Limoges style bowl with a collection of contemporary confections, I hope to create a conversation between the past and present, cracks appear in the elaborate bowl from the weight of the dominating contents, which is, although tempting; large, chaotic and grotesque.”

Chaotic and grotesque, yes, but I’m not gonna lie… I kinda want to lick it. Also, follow her on Instagram, because THIS:

Ceramic fish tail waffle cones. Mic drop.

Colorful, whimsical, with twists and turns that make my heart race … yes, all of these pieces make me want to ride imaginary rollercoasters while eating fruity candy. This is the most recent work of Australian artist Lynda Draper. I wrote about her way back in 2010. Her ceramic pieces were fabulous then, but the way she has pushed her work in the past nine years is even more fabulous … and others agree. This past Friday, June 21st, Lynda was awarded the very prestigious Sidney Myer Fund Australian Ceramic Award, which “celebrates and promotes contemporary Australian artists working in the ceramic medium, with $50,000 in prize money.” Amazing! Here is a description of her work found on Gallerysmith {Melbourne}:

[Lynda Draper’s] work explores psychological scenarios often representing a journey within the dualities of life and death, reality and fantasy, past and present. She is interested in the relationship between the mind and material world and the related phenomenon of the metaphysical. Creating art is her way of attempting to bridge the gap between these worlds.

{Thanks to Kylie Gusset of @noticingceramics for letting me know about this exciting news! Congratulations, Lynda!}

How do you make crazy, whimsical, totally unique sculptures even more beautiful? Stick flowers in ’em! Yes, all of these organic-inspired artworks actually double as flower vases. What? Yep. This is the fun and fabulous work of Australian artist Lia Tajcnar, aka Curiosity Smith. That’s Lia above, surrounded by the gorgeous ceramic jungle she’s creating piece by piece. Happy Friday.

Ahhhhh, the glazed donuts of Korean born, New York based artist Jae Yong Kim… it’s ceramic glaze but still, oh, so yummy! Some of his work is currently showing at Lyons Wier Gallery in New York as part of a show, titled “FIRE AND WATER” {Michael Boroniec, Jae Yong Kim, Dylan Martinez : June 4 ~ July 6, 2019}. Go if you can… and try not to lick the art.

ps. Note the “Homage to Kusama” up there. Love, love, love!

You know how I feel about cute/weird, right? Yep. This is the ceramic work of LA based artist Godeleine de Rosamel. Strange little creatures who, I can only assume, live in the magical forests of Godeleine’s imagination. Here are her words about what she does:

“They are imaginary animals adapted or evolved from reality, but nothing that really exists. I love that my work lets me play at being the original creator of new life forms. It really fits with my interest in natural history, evolution and the wonders of nature in general … I have also always been drawn to what is called “low tech”, and the fact that beautiful and meaningful art can be created out of very simple materials.

I also do illustrations for children’s books, inspired from my ceramic work.”

Yes, yes, yes! I was just about to say she should illustrate children’s books! Some of Godeleine’s work – ceramics and books – can be found in her online shop.

{Found via HeyThere Projects}

Oh my word, OUI! This work, titled “Douceur de fleurs” / “Sweetness of Flowers”, is the work of France born, San Francisco based artist Suzanne Husky. Laundry detergent, hand soap and every other flower-scented product recreated in clay. The imperfectness of each bottle is perfect! This is what Google translates her statement to:

“Sweetness of flowers, Secret of the world, Feast of flowers, Natural freshness, Dream of nature. In addition to ensuring impeccable cleanliness, X makes you live a unique, purifying, sensory experience! An intoxicating scent gives your laundry a real escape from each wash. Corporate lyricism meets flowers.”

Ahhhh, I can smell the corporate lyricism from here! Happy Friday.

Will I ever get tired of writing about French artist Clémentine de Chabaneix? Non. Odd creatures, girls in masks, and that apple… oh, that apple. Actually, it’s one of her most recent pieces, and is titled ‘Apple-mouth
Tribute to Claude’ (Ceramic, Bronze, copper). I did a little digging, and the Claude this is dedicated to is Claude Lalanne, a French sculptor who just passed away in April of this year. Here is a little bit about her, and an insight into Clémentine’s tribute:

“Claude Lalanne was a French sculptor and designer most widely known for her work in the collaborative duo ‘Les Lalanne’ with her husband, François-Xavier Lalanne. Claude Lalanne’s personal work often manifested itself in the form of decorative flora and fauna, drawing from Surrealism and Art Nouveau in her furniture pieces. The artist also created jewelry which were often molded from twisted flowers, leaves, and branches made in copper and gilt bronze.” 

Women artists celebrating women artists… love, love, love. You can see ‘Apple-mouth, Tribute to Claude’ from now until July 15th at Domaine du Muy, a contemporary sculpture park in the south of France.