Brendan Tang was our speaker at last night’s TriCity Potters meeting and what a successful evening it was! Thank you Brendan for a really clear and interesting explanation of your passion for all things clay, and your description of several of your special projects.

Members expressed their happiness with the talk and are particularly pleased to understand exactly what is meant by the title ‘Manga Ormulu’. The slides illustrating traditional ormolu and contemporary Japanese manga comics really help. We are so impressed that the blue and white decoration could well have been realized with the use of ceramic decals but oh no, Brendan chooses to painstakingly paint every part of his work. It is abundantly clear how each piece might well take several weeks to complete.

We had a very good turn-out for the talk. I’m glad our local clay community is wanting to support these monthly gatherings. Now I shall have to arrange with the Arts Centre for a room that holds thirty or more people.

I decided that it was silly to be taking photos of Brendan’s power point presentation. It was intended for this group, with an introductory section to explain his journey in clay to where he is today, so I do encourage other groups to invite Brendan to give them a talk too. He started out making pots with Vancouver Island pottery ‘JoVic Duffhues’ and still regards the team as his ‘pottery parents’. He has many years of Art School and International Ceramic Residencies in his resume, has had several successful solo shows and this year is an Instructor at Emily Carr University. With our presenter from last year, Bellinghams’s Jason Walker, students at ECU will be inspired by a fine pair of highly skilled ceramicists who both use their drawing skills as a major part of their practice.

Brendan is one of four clay artists featured in BC Potters’ Guild upcoming workshop ‘Dig This’ to be held at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts on March 21st. It should be a really varied and informative day for those attending. Better register soon!

Incidentally Jason Walker’s show is on at the Bellevue Art Gallery, Seattle, until March 1st.

For a detailed description and analysis of Brendan Tang’s work go to the blog here. You’ll find photos of the progression of his work and much more information on the process and ideas behind the pieces. There are also links to other published reviews of Brendan’s work.

http://studioceramicscanada.com/brendan-tang/

Thank you Barry Morrison for your comment below and for allowing me to add the link to your blog to my modest description of Brendan’s talk.