NewsFile | Glasgow Benefit Auction, Haeger Sale and James Tower Website Launch

Welcome to NewsFile, our weekly round up of news and happenings from across the worlds of contemporary ceramics and contemporary ceramic art. We come to you today with a last chance Haeger Potteries auction.

Above image: Detail of Monumental Haeger Vase 

The public has a final opportunity to buy pieces from Haeger Potteries and the Pottery Museum collection Friday, February 24. Over 2,000 objects ranging from small decorative items to the 1976 world’s largest handthrown vase will be offered for auction (online only), giving buyers a chance to own a piece of American history.

The 145-year-old institution, which closed its doors last year, has a rich history, both as a local Chicago manufacturer and a longstanding workshop for ceramic artists. Founded in 1871 by David H. Haeger as the Dundee Brick Company, the company began as a brick manufacturer that would eventually help rebuild the city after the Chicago Fire. Haeger’s son propelled the company forward in the 20th century by expanding the company to manufacture glaze and establishing a pottery company, which works debuted at the 1934 World’s Fair.

The institution’s legacy continued with successful pottery line Royal Haeger, creating a studio hub for ceramists. With Royal Hickman as it’s head designer, producing a fluid Art Deco style, Royal Haeger expanded into accessories, and most famously its sleek black panther design (several of which will be offered). Haeger designers Sebastian Maglio’s monumental vase and Eric Olsen’s dramatic bull figure will also be available.

The preview opens Tuesday, February 21 and runs through the day of the online auction at the Leslie Hindman Auctioneers saleroom.

Text (edited) from Leslie Hindman Auctioneers.

Artists Reimagine Remnants of Glasgow’s Mackintosh Library

Big name artists have created work for an art auction to benefit the devastated Glasgow School of Art. The Ash to Art sale auction includes original pieces by 25 high-profile artists from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds — including David Shrigley, Grayson Perry, Cornelia Parker, Tacita Dean, Anish Kapoor and Jenny Saville — made from remnants and debris from the fire that gutted the Charles Rennie Mackintosh library in May of 2014.

British ceramist Perry tells The Guardian his artwork is a way to process and celebrate the building’s new chapter.

“I was very excited when I received the box of charcoal. I had an idea almost immediately and the idea of making an urn was an obvious thing to do. The idea of memorializing or celebrating the difficulty – honoring the wound. It’s something I’m trying to do. Move on and make the most of it.”

The auction was created by J. Walter Thompson London in collaboration with The Glasgow School of Art Development Trust. The new art works will be displayed at Christie’s in London King Street in a special exhibition March 3 – 7, 2017, then auctioned during the Post-War and Contemporary Art Day Sale on March 8. The proceeds will be donated to The Mackintosh Campus Appeal.

IAC Awards Finland 2020 Congress

The 49th Congress of the International Academy of Ceramics (IAC) has been awarded to Finland. The congress will be hosted by the Arctic Ceramic Centre (ACC) in fall 2020.

The IAC General Assembly is a well-known and highly appreciated congress in the field of ceramics. Every two years the event brings together world-class artists and actors from the ceramic world to discuss about contemporary ceramic issues and to showcase their artwork.

Nearly 300 people from 50 different countries are estimated to attend the congress in Posio, Finnish Lapland – the first time in its history. The preliminary theme of the congress is ‘On the Edge.’

Arctic Ceramic Centre offers a great possibility for ceramic artists to focus on their work in a peaceful environment surrounded by the beautiful arctic nature. As the northernmost ceramic institution in the world ACC is unique destination.

The goal of IAC is to stimulate friendship and communication between professionals in the field of ceramics in all countries, according to its mission. IAC develops and encourages all forms of international cooperation to promote ceramics and to encourage and maintain the highest level of quality production in all ceramic cultures.

Distinct Design Honors Delft Homes

Influenced by the the distinctive homes of Delft, Netherlands, House of Delft, designed by Van Dongen-Kuschuch Architects and Planners, is a mixed-use hub located beside the train station, a scheme designed to serve as a portal to both the historic city center and the renowned University of Technology.

ArchDaily writes the design honors the city’s artistic, scientific and innovative achievements.

“The complex is defined by three 20-meter-high houses at one side, and seven glass facades at the other. The facades draw inspiration from the dwellings of influential Delft residents throughout history, and tell a story of how they lived and worked. As a show of pride in Delft’s continued contribution to research and technology, the glass facades will come alive with the sights of people living, working and experimenting in studios.”

James Tower Website Launched

A new website has been launched to honor the work and life of British post-war ceramist James Tower (1919 -1988). London gallery Erskine, Hall & Coe, which has represented the Tower estate, working closely with the artist’s family, launched the new website earlier this month.

Erskine, Hall & Coe write they hope the website serves to shed light on and spread understanding of the range and quality Tower’s work.

“The new website provides a wealth of information about James Tower and our intention is for it to continue to grow over time.  We hope it will deepen the public’s understanding of Tower’s work and help to introduce it to a new audience.”

Erskine, Hall & Coe writes the gallery will continue to display Tower’s work which undertakes organic form and shape.

Do you love or loathe these happenings from the world of contemporary ceramics and contemporary ceramic art? Let us know in the comments.