TRANSFORMATION: FVPG 2023

On our way to Abbotsford last Friday to attend the closing sale at Herman Venema’s studio (see yesterday’s blog) Carlene, Eliza and I stopped in at the ACT art gallery in Maple Ridge to see Fraser Valley Potters Guild’s latest show, TRANSFORMATION.

We were greeted by the Art Gallery curator and manager Courtney Miller, who showed us around the ceramics show and explained some of her display decisions. To give you an idea of the variety of work that was juried into this year’s show I’ll make this blog into more of a photo essay, adding information in each caption. The juror was Langara college instructor Gloria Han and I think I found all her honourable mentions and award winners. There are Student and Open categories for entrants.

Pat Schendel 'Transformation: a Flower Opening' Award of Merit Open Category
Qianxuang Chen 'Microcosm' Hon. Mention Student Category
Eliza Wang Award of Merit for her body of work Open Category
Eloisa Mae Uy 'Beautiful Scars' Hon. mention Student Category
Jean Paul 'A True Brick' & 'BC Plate Vessel' Hon. mention Open category Fredi Rahn 'Open Serving Dish' & 'Liquid & Solid'
Amy Chang 'AE Creature' & 'AE Duck' Hon. mention Open Category
Ofra Av-Shalom 'The End of the Ice Age'

This is one of a number of works that address the deteriorating state of our world. Sculptures and vessels here, by Ofra, Kay and Amy address climate change, pollution and gross consumerism. Ceramic shows aren’t all about vessels, mugs, bowls and vases. 

Kay Bonathon 'Trained to Leap Right into the Pan'
Kay Bonathon
Amy Gogarty 'Much Depends on Dinner' 3 plates
Chery Stapleton 'Lidded Jar' hon. mention Open Category
Giles Barton-Owens & Qianxuan Chen
Zilin Shen 'Empty' Award of Merit Student Category
Susan Johnston 'Reckoning Vessels'
Hannah Chan 'Spring Inspiration' hon. mention Open Category
Ailsa Brown 'Earthen Glow'

There were so many inventive, beautiful and skilfully-made works in this show that I had a hard time deciding which ones to feature. Forgive me if yours isn’t shown. This exhibition will be up until April 29th 2023.

Gillian McMillan

Gillian writes blogs about ceramics in and around Vancouver and sometimes talks about other Art, her garden, travels and family.

This Post Has One Comment

  1. Kay Bonathan

    Thanks for your extensive coverage of this show and especially your mention of the pieces with a social message. Every little bit helps.

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