Drawn to the Surface
Instructors: Akio Takamori and Kurt Weiser
June 16–27, 2008

During this twelve day workshop, we will explore the layering of drawings on the surface of porcelain clay with colors of under-glazes, cobalt blue and china paint over-glazes. We will start as a group by producing as many small cups as possible using both throwing and handbuilding techniques. We will then use these cups as canvases for experimentation with a variety of drawing and painting techniques.

Each student will make enough cups so that each cup will not feel too precious to play with or take chances on. All cups will be bisqued, glazed with a clear glaze, and then fired to cone 5-6 oxidation.

Play and experimentation will continue as students explore process of layering and multifiring the cups, using over glazes and china paints. Our goal is that by the end of the workshop, each student will have many small experimental cups with layered drawings to observe for future reference.

During the cooling of the kilns, Akio and Kurt will conduct slides lectures covering the history of their work and influences as well as ideas about image and process. The participants are encouraged to bring drawings, photographs and ideas to incorporate into their work

This workshop is open to artists at any skill level

Akio Takamori

Kurt Weiser, Night Harvest

Akio TAKAMORI was born in Nobeoka, Kyushu Island, Japan in 1950. He attended Musashino Art College, Tokyo, Japan, and apprenticed at a traditional domestic production pottery in Koishiwara, Japan. Takamori moved to the United States in 1974 to enroll in the Kansas City Art Institute where he earned a BFA degree in ceramics. He received his MFA from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. Takamori has been an Associate Professor of Art in Ceramics at the University of Washington since 1993. He lives in Seattle, Washington where he maintains a studio

Kurt WEISER was born in Lansing, Michigan in 1950. He studied at the Kansas City Art Institute where he earned his B.F.A., and the University of Michigan, where he was granted his M.F.A. He was the Director of the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts in Helena, Montana from 1977 until 1989 when he began teaching at Arizona State University, where he is now a Regents Professor.

He has twice received a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and has work published in over 35 books on the subject of art and ceramics and has lectured in Europe, Asia and North America. Weiser

has exhibited extensively since 1982 with the Garth Clark Gallery in New York, NY, Los Angeles, CA. and Kansas City, MO., as well as the Frank Lloyd Gallery in Santa Monica, CA.

His Work is in many collections including: the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, England; the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA.; the Museum of Contemporary Ceramics, Shigaraki, Japan; the Carnegie Institute Museum of Art, Pittsburg, PA.; the National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.; the National Museum of History, Taipei, Taiwan; and the Helsinki Museum of Applied Arts, Helsinki, Finland.

Akio Takamori