The dimensions may be limited but the possibilities are limitless. That’s the gauntlet that was thrown down to the 120 members of the Alberta Potters’ Association for its current exhibition called Alberta in a Box: Wide Open, now on at the VAAA Gallery in Edmonton.
Each was instructed to develop a new piece but something that could be contained within a box 15 centimetres by 15 cm by 15 cm. Artists often indicate that arbitrary restrictions, while initially off-putting, eventually become great creative stimuli.
St. Albert’s JulieAnne Hage is no different. She’s no stranger to showing off her wares in group shows, but she’s one of the association’s newest members so this is an interesting introduction to the new scene for her.
“I do a lot of wall pieces,” she began, referring to her usual selection of clay work that one would not generally describe as small. She ended up with an end product that was still sizeable but thin (at 42 cm tall by 14 cm wide) but still complied with the restrictions.
“That was kind of different for me to figure out all of the mechanics to make that fit in there. There was a lot of trial and error,” she laughed. She also managed to come up with a gorgeous mortar and pestle that came in at 15 cm by 7.5 cm by 16.5 cm.
“It does open up a new challenge, but when you know that’s what you have to make, it’s kind of nice to have the parameters. Otherwise, your imagination can just go in every direction that it normally goes in. It’s kind of nice to say, ‘Okay, here’s what I’ve got to do and I’ve got to do it within this space.’ It’s nice to be reined in once in a while.”
Hage also stated that she keeps her creative juices flowing by trying to keep herself busier than she would like to be. That way, there’s always an external pressure on her to keep producing.
This is her first time exhibiting with the APA and she’s excited about the company that she will be keeping until mid-April. She is joined by local potters Shirley Cordes-Rogozinsky and Linda Willard.
These small-scale ceramic works to fit in a box have created delightful and thought-provoking art. Though diminutive in size, the works expand into many ‘worlds’ through their diverse approaches, concepts and techniques. The work selected shows the artists’ deep connection not only to the material, but also to the rich cultural heritage and landscape of Alberta.
The exhibition runs until Saturday, April 14 in Galleries A and B. The VAAA Gallery is located on the third floor of the Harcourt House Arts Building, 10215 112 Street in Edmonton.
Call 780-421-1731 or visit www.visualartsalberta.com for more information on the show.
Visit www.albertapottersassociation.com to learn more about the group.
