CERAMICS MONTHLY focus MONTHLY self critique August/September 2006 h $ 7 . 5 0 ( C an$ 9 , 6 . 5 0 ) w w w . ceramicsmonthly . org focus self critique AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2006 $ 7 . 5 0 ( C an$ 9 , E6 . 5 0 ) w w w . ceramicsmonthly . org AS 06 Front_Cover.indd 2 7/14/06 11:07:42 AM AS 06 Covers.indd 2 7/13/06 8:14:45 PM Ceramics Monthly August/September 2006 1 AS 06 001_017.indd 1 7/13/06 6:35:03 PM MONTHLY Editorial [email protected] telephone: (614) 895-4213 fax: (614) 891-8960 editor Sherman Hall assistant editor Renée Fairchild assistant editor Jennifer Poellot technical editor Dave Finkelnburg publisher Charles Spahr Advertising/Classifi eds [email protected] (614) 794-5809 fax: (614) 891-8960 classifi[email protected] (614) 794-5866 advertising manager Steve Hecker advertising services Debbie Plummer Subscriptions/Circulation customer service: (800) 342-3594 [email protected] Design/Production design Paula John Editorial and advertising offices 735 Ceramic Place, Suite 100 Westerville, Ohio 43081 USA Editorial Advisory Board Linda Arbuckle; Professor, Ceramics, Univ. of Florida Tom Coleman; Studio Potter, Nevada Dick Lehman; Studio Potter, Indiana Meira Mathison; Director, Metchosin Art School, Canada Don Pilcher; Potter and Author, Illinois Bernard Pucker; Director, Pucker Gallery, Boston Phil Rogers; Potter and Author, Wales Jan Schachter; Potter, California Mark Shapiro; Worthington, Massachusetts Susan York; Santa Fe, New Mexico Ceramics Monthly (ISSN 0009-0328) is published monthly, except July and September, by The American Ceramic Society, 735 Ceramic Pl., Suite 100, Westerville, Ohio 43081; www. ceramics.org. 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Copyright © 2006 The American Ceramic Society All rights reserved www.ceramicsmonthly.org Ceramics Monthly August/September 2006 2 AS 06 001_017.indd 2 7/13/06 6:45:50 PM Ceramics Monthly August/September 2006 3 AS 06 001_017.indd 3 7/14/06 3:47:59 PM Ceramics Monthly August/September 2006 4 AS 06 001_017.indd 4 7/13/06 6:48:35 PM AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2006 / Volume 54 Number 7 MONTHLY focus self critique 30 Green Wood by Tony Clennell An accidental discovery teaches an unexpected lesson and helps a potter better understand his aesthetic motivations. recipes Ash Celadon 34 Critical Care: The Art of Self Critique by Simon Levin With the help of two infl uential teachers, an artist comes to realize that self critique is, well, critical to success. features 39 A Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration The Archie Bray and Jentel Foundation Residency with essays by Melissa Post 42 Marcus O’Mahony by Michael Moore A potter uses his strong connections to his surroundings to create elemental pots. 46 Struggling to Understand (And the Rewards of Uncertainty) by Lucy Breslin 48 Peter Callas: Sculpture at the Edge by Dorothy Joiner Abstract sculptures reveal a close affi nity with nature, and a respect for color, texture, design and material. 50 An Anagama and an Electric Kiln by Daryn Lowman A touch of commercial glaze and a turn in the electric kiln transforms duds from the anagama into gems. 52 Lee Akins by Rafael Molina-Rodriguez An artist unconsciously blends inspiration from one medium into another. recipes Low-Fire G lazes for Texture 52 cover: Vase, 20cm (8 in.) in height, thrown and faceted heavily grogged stoneware, with crackle and dry red slips, Shino liner glaze, fi red to 1300˚C (2372˚F), 2005, C80 (US$101), by Marcus O’Mahony, Lismore, County 39 XX 30 Waterford, Ireland; page 42. 50 XXXX 30 Ceramics Monthly August/September 2006 5 AS 06 001_017.indd 5 7/13/06 6:51:00 PM departments 10 from the editor 12 letters from readers 14 answers from the CM technical staff 16 suggestions from readers 16 Tip of the Month: Quick-Change Artist 18 upfront reviews, news and exhibitions 56 call for entries 56 International Exhibitions 56 United States Exhibitions 58 Regional Exhibitions 58 Fairs and Festivals 60 new books 62 calendar 62 Conferences 62 Solo Exhibitions 62 Group Ceramics Exhibitions 68 Ceramics in Multimedia Exhibitions 70 Fairs, Festivals and Sales 72 Workshops 82 International Events 92 classified advertising 95 index to advertisers 96 comment Fire the Gods by Don Pilcher online www.ceramicsmonthly.org current features, expanded features, archive articles, calendar, call for entries and classifi eds 26 new online exclusive feature African Artistry in Clay Women Potters of the Folona Mali by Barbara Frank special listings Gallery Guide Where to see ceramics in the U.S. and abroad Residencies and Fellowships Full listing of professional-development opportunities 22 24 Ceramics Monthly August/September 2006 6 AS 06 001_017.indd 6 7/13/06 6:52:41 PM Ceramics Monthly August/September 2006 7 AS 06 001_017.indd 7 7/13/06 6:54:29 PM Ceramics Monthly August/September 2006 8 AS 06 001_017.indd 8 7/14/06 3:34:16 PM Ceramics Monthly August/September 2006 9 AS 06 001_017.indd 9 7/13/06 7:00:35 PM from the editor Our focus topic for this issue is criti- process—sort of a checks-and-balances ap- cism. Now, if you’re like me, you are about proach to looking at our ability to evaluate What Do You Think? to cower defensively into the corner of our work. We are presenting two authors Though every image in CM is subject to your studio at the sound of that word, in our focus features this issue who have critique, we understand that it is sometimes preparing to be told how your work is taken different approaches to this. Simon diffi cult to separate the person from the art, below par, what aesthetic stance you should Levin and Tony Clennell both make func- whether it’s your own or someone else’s. In adopt, and trying to fi gure out how not tional pots, but each has different, deeper, the interest of cultivating objective criticism, to laugh out loud at the hot new art buzz- more personal reasons for why they do this, word. Never fear! We will be talking about what they get out of it, how they evaluate self critique, so you are in control. their own work, and how they arrived at Consider the fact that criticism is understanding these things. It is one thing something we all do on a regular basis. We to assess your own work, and quite another continually evaluate our technique, forms, to articulate that process of discovery so methods, recipes, etc., and adjust in order that others can benefi t. to better our efforts. This is a crucial step So, in reading these articles, I hope you toward improvement and innovation; it’s will take away not only insight into the what keeps this field relevant and viable. If work of these artists, but an understanding done well, it’s what keeps us interested in of how we all can gain a deeper connection our own work. to, and a stronger grasp of, our own work. The intent of this focus, convoluted as it may sound at first, is to think critically this image is presented by an anonymous about criticism in ceramics and what role volunteer who is willing to subject their it does, could or should play. Criticising work to equally anonymous critique. This is criticism—why not? We think critically done in the spirit of inviting straightforward about all other aspects of our creative en- comments from you. E-mail your constructive deavors, so it doesn’t make much sense to critique to [email protected]. stop short of talking about our analytical Sherman Hall, Editor New: Sculpture “long firing time”program *New EC242431FH Huge Load Productivity *Cone 10 *24”×24”×31.5” tall with 10.5 cubic feet.