Gary Jackson: Fire When Ready Pottery
A Chicago potter’s somewhat slanted view of clay & play
Categories: artists, gallery, pottery

Last night was the Opening Reception of “Collective Conversations In Clay” at Lillstreet Art Center in Chicago. The show is a collaborative effort of ten ceramic artists. Artists were paired up with a partner to collaborate on their pieces for the exhibition. Each artist was to create a piece in their own style – as well as finishing a piece of their partner’s in their style as well. So it’s a matter of applying your style to someone else’s form.

The collaborating pairs were:
Emily Murphy & Gary Jackson… yep, that’s me!
Jay Strommen & Debra Fritts
Joanna Kramer & Dustin Yager
Gina Hutchings & Sarah Hicks
Shane Grimes & Nancy Pirri

Emily Murphy and I were collaborating partners. We’ve worked together for years with our studios near each other – but never collaborating on actual pieces! So it was a nice challenge for both of us. I decided to create my totem pole form. Stamping & glazing mine… and giving her a set so she could do her thing.

And she created two sets if her “signature” dinnerware. One of them she finished herself, the other set she gave to me when it was leather hard to finish in my style. She added slipped, I stamped. We both sprayed some glaze and soda-fired our dinnerware sets.

The Opening Reception was also the kick-off of Chicago Artist’s Month in Chicago. Which also coincides with the Ravenswood Artwalk this weekend. So there was a lot of traffic flowing through Lillstreet – stopping in to see the show and visit the studios. The gallery show continues through October 31, 2008.

“Collective Conversations In Clay” •    beingtobeing.com
Lillstreet Art Center, 4401 North Ravenswood, Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 769-4226  •  lillstreet.com

1 Comment

anna

October 6th, 2008

I love this collaboration, it’s a very original concept. Each of your unique styles simultaneously transform, yet complement the final pieces.

This must have been so much fun for the both of you!

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