Gallery Talk with Juror and Featured Artist Mark Lambert Saturday morning, November 2 from 9am to 10:30: “Contemplating the Flower” – The art of Iga style pottery, flora and Japanese aesthetic
ARTIST STATEMENT
While creating Iga style vases, I envision showcasing the flowers. The coarse rough clay, harsh rib marks, dry surfaces dusted with ash, a line of glaze running or pooling, stout forms and heavy clay walls contrast the delicacy of petals. The service these vessels give is to showcase and honor the plant material. Traditionally, these arrangements are placed in the tokonoma to be viewed and contemplated daily.
Flowers carry many metaphors. Their colors exuberate a vitality in life. Their delicacy tutors us to entreat others with kindness. Their fragrance exemplifies joy in giving. Their withering on a windowsill implies that death is eminent. Their blooming is a reminder that in life, growth takes effort and time.
ARTIST BIO
Mark Lambert received his MFA from Brigham Young University and a BFA from Utah State University. He has taught ceramics for the past 20 years at Anoka Ramsey Community College (ARCC). Previously he was high school instructor. He has been awarded many grants from Minnesota State Arts Board. His ceramic work has shown at numerous venues including It’s Only Clay and the 2nd World Ceramic Biennial in Korea where he received Honorable mention.
Mark Lambert, has organized countless workshops of both emerging and nationally recognized artists. In 2010 he hosted the symposium “Minnesota Ceramics: An Evolving Legacy” which included the exhibition “Minnesota Ceramic Educators’ Invitational.” He has presented workshops at Brigham Young University, Minnesota State University- Moorhead and many other in Minnesota. Lambert has directed two documentaries “Minnesota Potters: Sharing the Fire” and “Warren MacKenzie: A Potter’s Hands”. He continues to promote the craft of clay and the history of Minnesota pottery.
