Stoked: Five Artists of Fire and Clay

Elmhurst, IL— Elmhurst Art Museum opens the national touring exhibition, Stoked: Five Artists of Fire and Clay, on November 6, 2010. 

Highlighting the work of Richard Bresnahan and four of his former apprentices, Stoked: Five Artists of Fire and Clay represents a decade of collaborative effort of the Saint John's Pottery program.  Curated by Dr. Matthew Welch, Assistant Director and Curator of Japanese and Korean Art at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the exhibition features not only the work of master potter and artist in residence, Richard Bresnahan, but that of Kevin Flicker, professor and ceramicist at University of Minnesota-Morris; Stephen Earp, ceramicist and writer from Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts; Sam Johnson, professor and ceramicist at College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University; and Anne Meyer, ceramicist and sculptor from Saint Joseph, Minnesota.  Each artist presents vastly different creative approaches that share a common concern for indigenous materials in relationship to the environment.

Bresnahan's work has an instinctive Eastern aesthetic, which is not coincidental or unintended; it pays homage to the time he spent in the sea-side town of Karatsu, Japan under the apprenticeship of Nakazato Takashi.   Still employing the careful techniques instilled by Takashi, Bresnahan's work is a contemporary celebration of the traditional Japanese karastu wheel and chamber kiln.  Ironically, the techniques Bresnahan carried from Japan are what make his work so distinctively regional.  Using locally dug clay, glazes created from indigenous plant material, and firing with wood gathered locally, his work could only occur in St. John's, Minnesota.  Bresnahan's craft is found in the subtle nuances of color, shade, and texture.  Over the past 30 years he has developed an intimate knowledge of the St. John's environment, creating dynamic shades from navy-bean straw ash, fumed seashells, and sunflower seed hull ash. 

Process, from beginning to end, has become the medium through Bresnahan communicates.  The level of involvement in material preparation, building, and firing all become evident in the final work.  His reverence for the natural environment is embodied in all aspects of the process, as Stoked curator, Dr. Matthew Welch states, "An abiding respect for ecology and natural systems has always characterized Richard Bresnahan's philosophy and his ongoing dialogue with fire and clay.  Throughout his long career, he has consistently challenged himself to undertake new firing techniques, to test potential glaze materials, and to devise unique and elegant functional forms.  As a result, the dynamic pottery Bresnahan creates reflects both the specifics of his physical environment – by utilizing local resources – and his own far-reaching artistic vision."

As seen in Stoked, the work of Flicker, Earp, Johnson, and Meyer all add their own artistic interpretation to the technique and process imparted to them under Bresnahan's tutelage.  Whether incorporating or building upon Bresnahan's philosophy, these artists all clearly have adopted his approach.  As Welsh states of the exhibition's collaboration of artists, "…each maker is "stoked" in the best sense of the word – excited about life and the simple act of using the earth and fire to produce objects of great mystery and strength." 

EAM has educational opportunities for visitors to learn more about the exhibition: 

Workshops with Master Potter, Richard Bresnahan

Friday, November 12, 1 – 6pm

Saturday, November 13, 1 – 5pm

Please register by Monday, November 1 by calling (630) 834-0202.

The dynamic work of Master Potter, Richard Bresnahan, reflects a deep concern for indigenous materials and the values he learned as an apprentice to Nakazato Takashi,  a thirteenth generation potter in the seaside town of Karatso, Japan.  In the three and a half years spent with the Nakazato's, Mr. Bresnahan absorbed the traditions, techniques and reverence for clay that permeates every aspect in the life of a Japanese potter.

For his 2-day master class and workshop Richard will describe the rhythms of studio life, his commitment to utilizing local resources and provide insights into his own far-reaching artistic vision.

Throughout the two days, Richard will demonstrate his ways of working with clay, including five ways of centering, throwing off the hump, paddling hand-built vessels on the wheel, inlaying porcelain, pulling handles, stretching platters and making a series of bowls.  Participants will have the opportunity to experiment with his indigenous materials and work with stoneware to create their own pieces.

The fee of $95 includes the two-day workshop, a complimentary ticket to Stoked: Five Artists of Fire and Clay at the Elmhurst Art Museum and the Artist Talk, Ancient Fire to a Humane Future.  The fee for materials and firing is $10.

Ancient Fire to a Humane Future Artist Lecture, Richard Bresnahan

Friday, November 12, 7pm

Serving with Style

Sunday, November 7 & 14 from 2 – 4pm

Potter John Nester demonstrates how to create unique serving ware for you and your children to proudly use at your next family gathering.  Please register by Monday, November 1 by calling (630) 834-0202 ext. 116. 

Cost is $55.00 per family, which include materials to create one bowl and one platter.