171: Bryan Hopkins on deconstructing the porcelain vessel

Today on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast I have an interview with Bryan Hopkins. A long-time porcelain vessel maker, he constructs his pieces leaving the seams and joinery visible. The effect hints at the history of refined porcelain production, while also showing the potential for future decay and deconstruction. He says of his love of material, “I have been using porcelain for about 20 years now, and am drawn to its physical qualities (strength, fragility, color, translucence) as well as the implicit class association, cultural significance, and assumption of purity and worth.” In the interview we talk about his time documenting punk bands, mining the urban landscape for inspiring textures/patterns, and developing a unique approach to beauty. To find out more about his work please visit www.hopkinspottery.com.

This episode of the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler is sponsored by the 2017 Canadian Clay Symposium. Happening March 18th 2017 at the Shadbolt Center for the Arts in Vancouver, Canada, this one day symposium invites participants to explore our changing relationships with emerging technologies. Through interactive demonstrations, panel discussions and exhibits, a diverse group of ten international presenters will address the relevance of traditional and contemporary technologies. For more information or to register for the conference, please visit www.canadianclaysymposium.com.