Guild’s statewide juried exhibit features local ceramicists’ art

The Hawaii Potters’ Guild, which is poised to celebrate its 50th anniversary this year, is holding its first statewide juried exhibition of ceramic art at the Honolulu Museum of Art School’s Linekona Gallery, through Jan. 8.

Kauai ceramicist David Kuraoka, who served as juror, said he found it to be both a rediscovery of the works of established Hawaii artists and an opportunity to explore the works of new artists pushing new boundaries.

More than 400 pieces were submitted by 160 artists for the show, including 27 from neighbor isles. Kuraoka selected 90 for the exhibition.

“I think they did really well,” he said. “There’s a great variety of things, and excellence in many areas.”

Kuraoka, a veteran clay artist born in Lihue, was a professor of art at San Francisco State University before returning home. He said it was wonderful to see the works of many talented, diverse groups of ceramicists come together in one show.

Esther Shimazu’s hand-built “Ningyo Fan” won best of show, while Joey Chiarello’s “Introspection” received the Award of Excellence in Memory of Paul Loo. Shigeru Miyamoto’s “Interstrata” won an Award of Excellence.

Kuraoka said he continues to be impressed with Shimazu’s attention to detail, down to the teeth on her laughing figurine and the fingernails on the hand holding a fan.

In selecting pieces for the exhibit, Kuraoka said he looked for historical content, craftsmanship, attention to detail and what he calls “organic vitality,” or life force. His own piece “Kalalau” greets visitors near the entrance.

“Ceramics is deeply planted in our island culture as a result of our many diverse backgrounds,” he wrote in his juror statement, “and it is informed by decades of highly regarded ceramics education and artists who brought and continue to bring their broad knowledge, creativity and experience to us through teaching, workshops and exhibitions.” — Nina Wu