Craft Works - Let's Get Creative!
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So in regards to the porcelain bowls that I have posted thus far, a bit of an explanation is warranted. Pottery requires equipment which I do not possess (kilns, wheels, etc.). But during college at The University of New Mexico, I found myself in the right place at the right time to participate in a truly extraordinary experience. See, UNM has the genuine good fortune of being the ONLY PLACE IN THE WORLD outside of Japan, to have the permission to practice the 400 year old cultural practice of making porcelain vessels with handmade tools found ONLY in Arita, Japan.
The story goes that Sensei Manji Inoue, Living National Treasure (or Important Intangible Cultural Asset) came to Penn State University for a 5 month artist residency to demonstrate the practice of Arita porcelain. During his stay, a graduate student named Jim Srubek decided to follow Sensei back to Japan to dedicate his life to this practice. When he returned to America, he came to The University of New Mexico and began teaching the Arita method to American students. Kathy Cyman was a graduate student at UNM and was so fascinated by the process that SHE decided to dedicate her life to the practice. She was given the blessing of Sensei Inoue to continue to teach in America after Jim Srubek retired. In 2010 I stumbled upon the Arita Porcelain Vessels class that had just moved to the Fine Art Department from its original position in the Arts Education Department (if it would have stayed there, I would never have found it). I had the privilege of immersing myself in the beautiful Japanese pottery culture through Kathy's class for two semesters. This process usually takes years to learn, but I managed to pick it up pretty quickly. These bowls are the product of my intense study. I only have 19 that I would consider worthy to sell. Now that I have graduated, no more of these bowls can ever be made.
Here is a link to the UNM website:
http://art.unm.edu/people/faculty/cyman.kathryne.htmlA link to some more info on Sensei Inoue and Arita, Japan:
http://www.nelsonmoore.com/nmpca/newsletter/AritaTrip2004/AritaTrip2004.htm -
Unreal, you are so talented!!!
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Just logged in to say that is a stellar contribution to the thread and the back story is wonderful as well. They are all beautiful, and it is something I actually see my wife liking too!
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Ah, #14, love it!
