On the evening before Gailan Ngan’s solo show opened at Coquitlam’s Art Gallery/Evergreen I happened to be there to see ‘Onegin’ in the theatre. I knew the show was due to open on the next day, March 7th and asked if I could have a sneak peek. I was allowed.. so my photos have no people in them at all.

The invitation says: ‘Ngan sets her experimental and innovative sculptures in a fictive environment for Chronicles, her first exhibition at the AGE.’  and goes on to say that her ‘whimsical and beguiling clay sculptures animate the gallery, arranged in playful, quirky vignettes. Combined with collected objects, these bulbous ceramics rest precariously on colourful metal supports, sit atop each other or stand directly on the floor. 

Gailan is well-known in BC for her signature ‘wobble pots’ and other functional ware but in recent years she has focussed her efforts on making more sculptural work, and combining the pieces with found objects. These new-to-me forms could be floats, and the added items often remind us that she grew up on Hornby Island with ocean debris always around. 

For a better description of the show go to:

http://evergreenculturalcentre.ca/current-exhibition/

I’m sorry I couldn’t attend the opening, Gailan, but I am pleased to have seen these recent soft-seeming shapes, resting in a mysterious environment in the centre of the gallery. The show will be open until April 22nd so there are still three weeks to see what this winner of the North West Ceramic Foundation’s Award has been up to. She was the recipient three years ago and the next Oven and Kiln Fundraising ‘Oven and Kiln’ is scheduled for May 4th. when this year’s Award winner will be announced.

Go to this link to see the auction catalogue, published today. There is a piece by Gailan shown, plus work by lots of local ceramic artists. Take a look, and consider buying yourself a couple of tickets for a fine dinner, a fascinating auction of ceramic pieces, old and new, and the fun of taking home your one-of-a-kind dessert plate.

https://north-westceramicsfoundation.weebly.com/uploads/6/2/2/8/62285833/catalogue_2018.pdf

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