Western Gallery and Whatcom Museum showcase international ceramic exhibitions

The Western Gallery and Whatcom Museum will bring two international ceramic exhibitions noted for the diversity and quality of their works to Bellingham this April. 

The Western Gallery will feature ‘Soaring Voices. Recent Ceramics by Women from Japan.’ An exhibit featuring 86 works by 25 contemporary female artists, ‘Soaring Voices’ celebrates the rich and innovative ceramic culture of Japan.

“It’s a demonstration of the transition in Japanese society toward individual women artists being recognized in a realm traditionally held by men,” said Western Gallery Director Sarah Clark-Langager.

The ceramics provide contemporary interpretations of a traditional art form through a range of motifs that are inspired from the natural world, dance movements from Noh Theater, and kimono patterns of the Edo period. A social commentary is put forth, whether it is beauty defined or an exploration between East and West.
‘Soaring Voices’ will show in the Western Gallery through May 12 and is free to attend.

In addition to ‘Soaring Voices,’ the Whatcom Museum will present an outstanding selection of Israeli ceramics in ‘From the Melting Pot into the Fire: Contemporary Ceramics in Israel’ at the Lightcatcher through July 15. Through the use of an ancient craft, the 42 contributing artists provide insights into contemporary life and art in Israel not found in the daily dose of news from the Middle East.

Israel is home to a vibrant contemporary ceramics community, with artists producing a wide range of exciting work. From the satirical to the sublime, 37 examples of ceramic sculpture address issues of identity within an immigrant society in ‘Melting Pot.’

Many of the works in the exhibition are highly conceptual and address complex issues involving questions of identity and the uncertainty of life in contemporary Israel. Others are inspired more by formal concerns and a desire to explore the full material and aesthetic potential of ceramic art. What stands out across the board are the pieces’ remarkable beauty and unusual forms.

“Anyone who thinks ceramic art is about bowls and vases needs to see these shows,” said Whatcom Museum Executive Director Patricia Leach.

‘Soaring Voices’ was developed The Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, Shiga Prefecture, and hus-10, Inc. Tokyo, Japan and organized for tour by International Arts and Artists, Washington, D.C. The exhibition was generously supported in part by the E. Rhodes & Leona B. Carpenter Foundation and the S&R Foundation.

‘From the Melting Pot into the Fire’ was organized by the Ceramic Artists Association of Israel in conjunction with the Mint Museum of Craft + Design in Charlotte, North Carolina. It has its origins in the Fourth Biennale for Israeli Ceramics that was organized by the CAAI and hosted by the Eretz Israel Museum in Tel Aviv in 2007. Funding to bring the exhibition to North America was provided by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is accompanied by a fully illustrated, 56-page catalogue.

Whatcom Musuem has two buildings with public hours: Old City Hall, 121 Prospect St. in Bellingham, open Thursday through Sunday noon – 5 p.m. and the Lightcatcher, 250 Flora St., open Tuesday-Sunday noon-5 p.m. Admission for museum members is free; $10 general; $8 student/senior/military; $4.50 children under 5. General admission is $5 on Thursdays. The Family Interactive Gallery, located at the Lightcatcher, is additionally open Tuesday and Friday at 9 a.m.; admission $4.50.

Located in the Fine Arts complex on the Western Washington University Campus in Bellingham, Wash., the Western Gallery is a center for temporary exhibitions featuring contemporary, interdisciplinary themes. The Western Gallery is open during the university's sessions, except during the summer. The gallery observes the university's calendar and holidays. Hours are: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., except Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 12-4 p.m..

For more details please visit http://westerngallery.wwu.edu/ or call (360) 650-3900.