Shiyuan Xu, “Through the Lens #4,” 2016. Photo courtesy of Lisa Hardaway.
The following interview is the first in a summer series of Q&A sessions with current resident artists. HCCC Intern Claire Alderson recently spoke with Shiyuan Xu, a ceramicist inspired by a microscopic view of our world. Continue Reading »
Christina Carfora, “The Grass is Always Greener.” Stoneware. 2013. Life size, 36″ x 24″ x 24″ each. Photo courtesy of Christina Carfora.
Ashley Powell, HCCC Curatorial Assistant, and Kathryn Hall, HCCC Curatorial Fellow, recently interviewed former resident artist, Christina Carfora, at the end of her residency. Christina is currently living in Denton, Texas, teaching ceramics at Texas Women’s University, working in her studio, and taking graduate classes.
Ashley Powell: We’ve noticed a relationship between your drawings and your ceramic sculptures. Can you tell us how they work together and inform each other?
Yes, the two are definitely very integrally tied together, and, often, when I’m working on a piece, I’ll start with a sketch. However, I sort of vacillate back and forth, and, as I’m working on a drawing, it often inspires other concepts and other pieces. When I’m working on my sculptures, I think of other ideas for drawings. I like this aspect of the drawings because you don’t have to deal with gravity like you do in the very structural ways when making sculptural work. When working on the sculptures, I really like getting the clay in my hands and being able to feel the tactile-ness. I also like the way people emotionally interact with the sculptural work on a different level. Continue Reading »
View of “Room Divider,″ Susannah Mira’s solo exhibition in the project Space at Lawndale Art Center. 2013. Photo by Ashley Powell.
This month, Ashley Powell, HCCC Curatorial Assistant, and Kathryn Hall, HCCC Curatorial Fellow, interviewed current resident artist, Susannah Mira, who finishes her residency at HCCC this week. Continue Reading »
Tarina Frank in her studio at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. Photo by Ron Scubadiver.
Briefly describe what you make. What projects have you been working on recently?
I make wearable art objects from a variety of materials. During my residency, I have been experimenting with the idea of wearable art. My work ranges from the simple, tiny, more traditional idea of jewelry all the way to costumes and masks. My most recent works have been large, lightweight necklaces made from paper. Continue Reading »
Jaydan Moore in his studio at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. Photo by Kim Coffman.
This week, we interviewed HCCC current resident artist, Jaydan Moore, a metal and jewelry artist who fabricates new objects from historical wares, such as silver-plated tableware and family heirlooms. Jaydan earned a BFA in jewelry and metal arts from California College of Arts, Oakland, and a MFA/MA in jewelry and metal arts from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Continue Reading »
Chanda Glendinning in her studio at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. Photo by Kim Coffman.
This week, we interviewed HCCC current resident artist, Chanda Glendinning, a ceramic sculptor whose work draws from her interest in the virtual communication networks that enable people to share and acquire information on a global level. Chanda is from rural western New York, where she received her BFA from Buffalo State College. She received her MFA in ceramics from Kansas State University. Continue Reading »
Robert Thomas Mullen in his studio at HCCC. Photo by Kim Coffman.
Tell us a little about what you are currently working on.
I’m currently working on a series of jewelry pieces that express my reactions to living in an urban environment. I have never lived in a town bigger than 10,000 people before Houston. My more current work focuses on urban settings, the Atlantic Ocean and cityscapes. Continue Reading »
Fiber artist Susan Fletcher King in her studio at HCCC. Photo by Kim Coffman.
This week, we interviewed Susan Fletcher King, a Houston-based fiber artist who mixes quilted imagery with additional media, such as paint, dyes, specialty threads and embellishments. Susan graduated from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston and earned a BFA from the University of Houston. She will be at HCCC through the end of December and will return to complete a second term of residency in the summer of 2013. Continue Reading »
Nathan Dube, Pop, Pop, Pop!
Brass, plexi-glass, cork, vellum. 8cm. x 38cm. x 1cm. 2012.
Photo courtesy the artist.
Those of us involved in the HCCC blog have recently decided to start including more posts that revolve around not just HCCC and Houston, but the exhibitions, events and news of the regional and national craft community. In an attempt to get this rolling, we thought it would be great to highlight InterPlay: Mechanical Objects, an exhibition currently on view at the Southwest School of Art in San Antonio, Texas. Continue Reading »
Fiber artist, Rachelle Vasquez, in her studio at HCCC. Photo by HCCC.
This week we interviewed Rachelle Vasquez, a Houston-based artist and art teacher, who works primarily with fibers. Rachelle graduated from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a minor in art history. Prior to becoming a resident artist at HCCC, she had a residency at DiverseWorks in 2007 and a solo show at Lawndale Art Center in 2010.
This is the last artist interview for a while, so be sure to enjoy it! This month, we’ll say goodbye to all of the current resident artists—Nathan Dube, Jessica Kreutter, Rachelle Vasquez, Melissa Walter and John Zimmerman—we wish them well in their new adventures! A new crop of residents will be starting in September. Continue Reading »
