Download - New Work by Robert Fornell
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New Work by Robert FornellSeptember 6 - October 6, 2012
Cavin-Morris GalleryNew York, New York
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Ro b e R t Fo R n e l l
AR t i s t stAt e m e n t:
While I have been working with clay for close to some 30 years, lately my work has taken two divergent yet closely related paths, that of works for Chanoyu, or the Japanese tea ceremony as well as a separate set of expressions which are more sculptural and abstract in nature.Regarding the tea ware, styles of older chawan from which I find inspiration include Shino, Hagi, and Karatsu as well as old Korean wares. The approach I take is simple, to find and use materials in a raw state and then step back and let the fire and clay have their voice or dialogue; preferring to consciously assume the role of that of the enabler rather than the creator. In my work, I tend to keep the forms fairly simple and strong in hopes to provide a canvas for interaction of the glaze, slip, and fire. While respecting the various genres of the past I am also interested in expanding the vernacular of chatou, or tea ceremony ceramics, in a contemporary sense as witnessed by the development of a black Shino glaze, which evolved from Nezumi Shino, as well as my current use a combination of black and white glazes which French artist Claude Champy originated and I have altered to suit my needs. The wall chargers, which are a relatively new direction for me that I started a few years ago, have their roots reaching back some 20 years. When living in Japan, I would frequently escape the frenzy of Tokyo by taking refuge in the Ueno no Mori Museum where I would spend hours in front of the calligraphy/brush paintings found within. Drawn to the power of the brushwork as well as the idea of working with one color, black, on a white ground I became fascinated with the simplicity of the medium. This interest deepened when I had the opportunity to exhibit in Yamaguchi with brush painter Kishino Naohito in 1996 and realized with a degree of envy, as a potter with kilns, wheels, and tons of materials stockpiled, how rooted and immobile I was in comparison. Thus for many years I thought, “In my next life I will be an ink painter”. Concurrently, and perhaps it was due to my work making pieces for the table where the food was the “star” and not the piece it was served on, my color palette moved more towards neutral colors such as soft whites and a variety of nuanced blacks. In contrast to the directness of ink on paper, working on clay tends to be more indirect due to the processes involved with the potential for structural alteration of the ground as seen via fissuring and warping of the clay as well as the “burn” of the glaze all of which are unattainable with ink on paper. This powerful transformation within the kiln is further encouraged via how the pieces are loaded and the firing cycle/atmosphere. Over the past year or so, the tragic events of March 2011 in Japan have weighed heavily on my heart and I continue to carry a deep concern for all affected. Some of the works here are tied directly to those feelings with my goal being to try to create works that while referencing the past, are contemporary in their expression and concern, which function to bind us in the expression of our humanity at this moment.
NEW WORK BY ROBERT FORNELLSeptember 6 – October 6, 2012
Cavin-Morris Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of new work by Seattle ceramic artist Rob-ert Fornell. We have shown Mr. Fornell’s work for a number of years, in particular his teaware and sakeware, which, while paying the respect due to traditional Japanese form and content, have always pushed the envelope in surface and style. In this small but entirely representative exhibition we will continue with some of the tea and sake sculptural forms with new variations as well as a new series of flat chargers in stark black and white that challenge the boundaries between glaze and painting. Rob Fornell’s work has an immediate recognizability and a deep affinity with Asian spiritual prac-tices. His work is known, respected and appreciated in Japan and Korea. This will be his first one-person exhibition in New York City.
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Guinomi
Black /White Hot Guinomi, 2012Ceramic
2.75 x 2.5 x 2.25 inches7 x 6.4 x 5.7 cm
RFo 101
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Black /White Hot Guinomi, 2012Ceramic
2.25 x 2.75 x 2.55 x 7 x 6.5 cm
RFo 102
Black /White Hot Guinomi, 2012Ceramic
3 x 2.75 x 2.5 inches7.6 x 7 x 6.4 cm
RFo 103
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White Carved Guinomi, 2012Ceramic
2 x 2.25 x 3 inches5.1 x 5.7 x 7.6 cm
RFo 96
White Carved Guinomi, 2012Ceramic
2.25 x 3 x 2.5 inches5.7 x 7.6 x 6.4 cm
RFo 97
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White Carved Guinomi, 2012Ceramic
2.75 x 2.25 x 3 inches7 x 5.7 x 7.6 cm
RFo 98
White Carved Guinomi, 2012Ceramic
1.5 x 2.25 x 3.25 inches3.8 x 5.7 x 8.3 cm
RFo 99
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White Carved Guinomi, 2012Ceramic
1.75 x 3 x 2.5 inches4.4 x 7.6 x 6.4 cm
RFo 100
Black Angle Guinomi, 2012Porcelain, black glaze1.75 x 2.75 x 4 inches
4.4 x 7 x 10.2 cmRFo 104
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Black Angle Guinomi, 2012Porcelain, black glaze
1.5 x 3.75 x 2.25 inches3.8 x 9.5 x 5.7 cm
RFo 105
Black Angle Guinomi, 2012Porcelain, black glaze2.75 x 3.25 x 2 inches
7 x 8.3 x 5.1 cmRFo 106
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Black Angle Guinomi, 2012Porcelain, black glaze
2.75 x 3 x 2 inches7 x 7.6 x 5.1 cm
RFo 107
Black Angle Guinomi, 2012Porcelain, black glaze
2.5 x 3 x 2 inches6.4 x 7.6 x 5.1 cm
RFo 108
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Black Angle Guinomi, 2012Porcelain, black glaze
2.5 x 2.5 x 1.875 inches6.4 x 6.4 x 4.8 cm
RFo 109
Black Angle Guinomi, 2012Porcelain, black glaze
1.5 x 1.375 x 4.25 inches3.8 x 3.5 x 10.8 cm
RFo 110
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Pink Angle Guinomi, 2012Porcelain
2.5 x 3.75 x 1.75 inches6.4 x 9.5 x 4.4 cm
RFo 112
Pink Angle Guinomi, 2012Porcelain
2.75 x 2.25 x 2.5 inches7 x 5.7 x 6.4 cm
RFo 113
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Pink Angle Guinomi, 2012Porcelain
2.5 x 3 x 2 inches6.4 x 7.6 x 5.1 cm
RFo 114
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Katakuchi
Katakuchi, 2012Porcelain, black glaze
2.75 x 4.25 x 2.5 inches7 x 10.8 x 6.4 cm
RFo 71
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Katakuchi, 2012Porcelain, black glaze2.5 x 4.5 x 2.25 inches
6.4 x 11.4 x 5.7 cmRFo 72
Chawan
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Chawan, 2012Ceramic
3.5 x 5.5 x 4.75 inches8.9 x 14 x 12.1 cm
RFo 62
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Chawan, 2012Ceramic
3.5 x 5.5 x 5.25 inches8.9 x 14 x 13.3 cm
RFo 63
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Chawan, 2012Ceramic
3.75 x 4.25 x 4.3 inches9.5 x 10.8 x 10.9 cm
RFo 64
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Chawan, 2012Ceramic
3.75 x 4.75 x 4.5 inches9.5 x 12.1 x 11.4 cm
RFo 65
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Chawan, 2012Ceramic
4 x 4.5 x 4.25 inches10.2 x 11.4 x 10.8 cm
RFo 66
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Chawan, 2012Ceramic
4.8 x 4 x 4.25 inches12.2 x 10.2 x 10.8 cm
RFo 67
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Chawan, 2012Ceramic
4 x 4 x 4 inches10.2 x 10.2 x 10.2 cm
RFo 68
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Chawan, 2012Ceramic
3.75 x 5.5 x 5.25 inches9.5 x 14 x 13.3 cm
RFo 69
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Chawan, 2012Ceramic
3.5 x 5 x 4.75 inches8.9 x 12.7 x 12.1 cm
RFo 70
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White Carved Chawan, 2012Ceramic
4 x 4 x 4.25 inches10.2 x 10.2 x 10.8 cm
RFo 92
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White Carved Chawan, 2012Ceramic
3.25 x 4.5 x 5 inches8.3 x 11.4 x 12.7 cm
RFo 94
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White Carved Chawan, 2012Ceramic
4 x 5 x 4.5 inches10.2 x 12.7 x 11.4 cm
RFo 93
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Stealth (set of 6), 2012Porcelain, black glaze3.5 x 5.5 x 4.75 inches
8.9 x 14 x 12.1 cmRFo 60a-f
* Also available individually
Chawan, 2012Porcelain, black glaze4 x 4.5 x 4.25 inches10.2 x 11.4 x 10.8 cm
RFo 60a
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Chawan, 2012Porcelain, black glaze4 x 4.5 x 4.25 inches10.2 x 11.4 x 10.8 cm
RFo 60b
Chawan, 2012Porcelain, black glaze4 x 4.5 x 4.25 inches10.2 x 11.4 x 10.8 cm
RFo 60c
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Chawan, 2012Porcelain, black glaze4 x 4.5 x 4.25 inches10.2 x 11.4 x 10.8 cm
RFo 60d
Chawan, 2012Porcelain, black glaze4 x 4.5 x 4.25 inches10.2 x 11.4 x 10.8 cm
RFo 60e
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Chawan, 2012Porcelain, black glaze4 x 4.5 x 4.25 inches10.2 x 11.4 x 10.8 cm
RFo 60f
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Chargers
Charger (Sun & Moon), 2012Ceramic
(Moon) 26.5 x 20.5 x 2 inches67.3 x 52.1 x 5.1 cm
(Sun)27 x 20.5 x 2 inches68.6 x 52.1 x 5.1 cm
RFo 84
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Charger, 2012Ceramic
26.5 x 20 x 2 inches67.3 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm
RFo 85
Charger, 2012Ceramic
26.5 x 20 x 2 inches67.3 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm
RFo 86
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Charger, 2012Ceramic
26 x 20 x 2.75 inches66 x 50.8 x 7 cm
RFo 87
Charger (Set of 3), 2012Ceramic
(each)20 x 27 x 2.25 inches50.8 x 68.6 x 5.7 cm
RFo 89
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Mizusashi
Tengu Mizusashi, 2012Ceramic
8.25 x 7.5 x 8 inches21 x 19.1 x 20.3 cm
RFo 76
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Tengu Mizusashi, 2012Ceramic
6.75 x 8 x 8.5 inches17.1 x 20.3 x 21.6 cm
RFo 77
Tengu Mizusashi, 2012Ceramic
7.75 x 7 x 7.5 inches19.7 x 17.8 x 19.1 cm
RFo 78
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Black Iron Mizusashi , 2012Porcelain, black glaze
7 x 8 x 7 inches17.8 x 20.3 x 17.8 cm
RFo 79
Black Iron Mizusashi, 2012Porcelain, black glaze7.825 x 8 x 6 inches
19.9 x 20.3 x 15.2 cmRFo 80
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White Shino Mizusashi, 2002Ceramic, white Shino glaze
6.5 x 7.87 inches16.5 x 20 cm
RFo 90
Black/White Facetted Mizusashi, 2012Ceramic, white Shino glaze
6.5 x 7.87 inches16.5 x 20 cm
RFo 91
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Objects
Incense burner/ Small jar, 2012Ceramic
3.25 x 2.25 x 2 inches8.3 x 5.7 x 5.1 cm
RFo 61
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Incense burner/Small Jar, 2012Ceramic
2.5 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches6.4 x 8.9 x 8.9 cm
RFo 73
Object, 2003Ceramic, Sandblasted Shino glaze
10 x 11.75 x 5 inches25.4 x 29.8 x 12.7 cm
RFo 81
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Heart Shaped Shino Kaki, 2001Ceramic, Shino glaze8.66 x 16.54 inches
22 x 42 cmRFo 82
Saucer, 2003Ceramic, Black Shino glaze
5.51 x 23.62 inches14 x 60 cm
RFo 83
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ed u c At i o n:Bachelor of Fine Arts – Summa cum Laude, University of MinnesotaMaster of Fine Arts – University of Washington
se l e c t e d ex h i b i t i o n s :The Urasenke Foundation - Seattle, The Parsons School of Design - New York, The Otis Art Institute - Los Angeles, The William Traver Gallery, Seattle, The International Tableware Festival - Tokyo, The Ichikawa Prefectural Art Museum - Kanazawa, The Kintetsu/Matsushita Gallery - Yamaguchi Prefecture, “The Shape of Tea” - The Art Complex Museum Boston, “Works by American Potters” – Omotesenke Chakai at Daitokuji Kyoto, “Totally Teabowls 2” – The Oakwood Gallery England, “International Chawan Expo” – Antwerp Belgium, “Ikebana X” – Pottery NW Seattle, “Tea Beyond Japan Conference” sponsored by the San Francisco Zen Center, “Mizusashi” The Art Complex Museum Boston, “Biennial 2010” The Bellevue Art Museum, The Second Annual North American Clay Invitational – Seattle, The Nevica Project – Chicago, Cavin Morris Gallery - New York, Traditional Teabowl Exhibition – Mungyeon, Korea, “International Chawan Exposition” – Boston, “Teaware From the Edge” – NCECA – Tacoma Community College, Tacoma WA, “Robert Fornell Recent Works” solo exhibition – NCECA – Seattle Design Center, Seattle WA, “Tea Ceramics” The Art League Gallery, Washington DC, “A Kindred Spirit” Lacoste Gallery, Concord MA
Copyright © 2012 CAvIN-MORRIS GALLERY
Cavin-Morris Gallery210 Eleventh Ave, Ste. 201
New York, NY 10001t. 212 226 3768
www.cavinmorris.com
Catalogue design: Mimi Kano Photography: Jurate vicerate
se l e c t e d co l l e c t i o n s :The Mungyeon Ceramics Museum, Mungyeon, Korea Oregon State University, Corvallis ORThe Art Complex Museum, Boston MAThe Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CAThe Urasenke Foundation, Seattle WADr. Joseph Monsen Collection, Seattle WAHigashida Shigemasa, Tokyo JapanRobert Yellin, Kyoto, JapanSonny Kamm Teapot Collection, USAGary Cadwallader, Urasenke Foundation, Kyoto, Japan
se l e c t e d GA l l e Ry Re p R e s e n tAt i o n:Sanwado – Tokyo, Japan The Oakwood Gallery – Nottinghamshire, England Cavin-Morris Gallery – New YorkStewart-Kummer Gallery – CaliforniaUtsuwakan Gallery – Kyoto Japan