SOFA Review

The sensory overload of a show like this is amazing. 100 galleries were there representing thousands of artist and craftspeople. The quality of the work boggles the mind. There are so many great makers in our world and it is easy to be humbled by such a display of talent. The show was dominated by glass and wood. My other response was that strong color and figurative work dominates this show. There wasn’t as much clay as I would have hoped to see. One artist I spoke with said that the ‘real estate’ cost too much to show pots. I saw a vase sold for $20,000! It was a nice vase, but I am always a bit bemused by the distance between a vase like that and one that I might make.
It was great to get up close to the work of Voulkos and Chilhuly, Notkin and Bennett Bean. I always look forward to getting back to my studio when I leave a good show.
Chicago is a great city and I walked so much I hurt myself. As I was slowly walking to my gate at the airport to head home I looked up to see one of my oldest friends in the world, Gerry Hersh!
I’ve been negligent in keeping some old connections alive and this amazing meeting has been a big reminder to me of the value of friends. I learned a lot from Gerry a long time ago and that continues to have value to me today.
Sorry about all the photos. Of course, you don’t have to look if you don’t want to……

Voulkos





larger than life size – Ceramic


folded paper

detail




5 Responses to “SOFA Review”

  1. doug fitch

    amazing – that Voulkos piece is so much about the qualities of the clay, I love it, I could explore the surface of that piece forever I think. Matz aswell – wow. I know what you mean about the price thing. I remember talking with dear old Sid Tustin about such things and he used to say, ‘well, it’s only a bit of clay fired’ Ha!

    Reply
  2. Jerry

    Thanks for this post. Sounds like there was amazing stuff there. Notkin’s works are always like a punch in the gut to me, they are so well done.

    Reply
  3. Hollis Engley

    It must have been a relief to get back to Fredericksburg after all that time in the big city. And I’m guessing there were no $20 teabowls there …

    Reply

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