Press Release Tacoma Art Museum Presents the Work of Legendary Ceramist Howard Kottler (Tacoma, WA) - Tacoma Art Museum opens “Look Alikes: The Decal Plates of Howard. Kottler”, a nationally traveling exhibition of significant works by prominent American ceramicist Howard Kottler on September 4, 2004. This original body of work, which consists of 60 porcelain plates created by Kottler between the 1960s and 1980s, has never been analyzed as a whole until now. The exhibition, on view through December 12, 2004, illustrates the wit and irony of this notable Northwest artist whose works chal- lenged conventional notions of gender, politics, religion, and art. Kottler (1930 - 1989), a former University of Washington professor, is known for rejecting traditional studio ceramic practices that emphasized and valued hand-made objects. Contrary to the studio potters who wedged clay and calcu- lated glazes for plate-making, Kottler created his works with mass-produced store-bought plates and commercial decals. The decals he chose included reproductions of well-known images such as Leonardo DaVinci's “The Last Supper” and Grant Wood's “American Gothic”. Kottler altered these images, often with political intent, by cutting and combin- ing the decals and then affixing them to inexpensive white porcelain plates which he purchased in bulk. “Look Alikes” presents a survey of Kottler's decal plates that impart multiple messages and reflect the rebellious spir- it of the time. For example, as a protest to the Vietnam War, Kottler cut and rearranged the American flag in “Made in the U.S.A”. In another instance, he changed the male and female couple in Grant Wood's 1930 painting “American Gothic” into identical males. The combination of Kottler's nonconformist medium and sardonic messages implies a rejection of tradition and conventional social norms. Vicki Halper, a nationally recognized independent curator and former Associate Curator of Modern Art at Seattle Art Museum was guest curator for the exhibition. Halper select- ed an array of works from many private collections as well as Seattle Art Museum and The Museum of Art and Design in New York. Halper will discuss the wit, irony, appropriation, and. gay cultural readings in Kottler's plates at Tacoma Art Museum September 12 at 2 pm. "Look Alikes” is sponsored. by the Howard Kottler Testamentary Trust and includes a fully illustrated catalogue distributed nationally by University of Washington Press. Clay Courses at the Surrey Art Gallery YOUTH All Fired Up Create artworks using the potter's wheel, handbuilding, decorating and glazing. Instructor: Murray Sanders 6 Sessions $65 13-17yrs 284047 Sat, Sept 18 10:30am-12:30pm 8 Sessions $91 282341 Fri, Oct 1 ADULT 10 Sessions $139 Expressing in Clay Creative expression through handbuilding and sculpting techniques. Instructor: Esther Schmeer 12:30-2:30pm Pottery - Level 1 Instructor: Murray Sanders Kiln Operations (Electric) Learn about the fundamentals, plus troubleshooting, maintenance and safety. Instructor: Murray Sanders 1 Session $20.50 282342 Sat,Oct23 1-3:30pm PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Photo Documentation Built By Hand Explore handbuilding methods, and learn decoration and glazing. Instructor: Cheryl Stapleton 4 Sessions $81 282340 Sun, Oct 3 282343 Mon, Sept 13 9:30am-12noon 282344 Mon, Sept 13 7-9:30pm 282345 Wed, Sept 15 1-3:30pm 282346 Wed, Sept 15 7-9:30pm 282347 Thu, Sept16 9:30am-12noon 282348 Thu, Sept16 7-9:30pm Join professional photographer, Ken Mayer to learn lighting and photography techniques for taking professional quality photos of your 2 and 3-dimensional artwork to support grant applications, jury submissions, and for general record keeping. 1 session $46 284146 Sat, Oct 23, 12noon-4pm 1-4pm Raku Firing Enhance your pottery with beautiful iridescence, crackle glazes, and smoky textures. Instructor: Cheryl Stapleton Pottery - Level 2 10 Sessions $139 283406 Tue, Sept 14 9:30am-12noon Instructor: Murray Sanders aes win 9 78 283407 Tue, Sept 14 7-9:30pm surrey ed, op ~ypm Instructor: Darrel Hancock Sat, Oct16 = 9am-5pm 88 Avenue art gallery | & King George Hwy. Ph: 604-501-5566 www.arts.surrey.ca surrey centre Clay courses for elementary and preschool age children are also offered. Registration: 604-501-5100 or www.prc.surrey.ca September 2004 Potters Guild of British Columbia Newsletter