Vessels: Tulika Ladsariya, Melissa Zeigler Monroe, Shawn Vincent | December 3 - 31, 2021
Three ceramic artists explore multiple meanings of the Vessel form
Opening Reception: Friday, December 3rd, 6-9 PM in conjunction with Riverside’s Holiday Stroll.
Artworks in this exhibition are priced to sell for unique holiday gift-giving
Tulika Ladsariya | Trophy Mother, High-Fired Ceramic. 2021
Tulika Ladsariya is an Indian artist, born in Mumbai- living and working in Chicago. Working with the sentiment of longing, her work explores the footprint left behind by the invisible labor of motherhood and migration. Through her ceramics, she explores the space of un-belonging and attempts to create a space for those who feel ‘othered’ to come together in cross cultural dialogue and understanding. Her propagation vessels allow for a space to root, whilst her vases and boats use her mother’s embroidery and tatting to create texture and use the clay’s memory to preserve her own. Her work mulls on the sentiment that for a first-generation migrant the in-between is oft the ‘home’.
Qualified as a Chartered Accountant, she transitioned to a creative full-time studio practice after her stint working for an auction house in India. Her art has been widely exhibited in the USA and India notably at the Hammond Museum NY, Ralph Arnold Gallery- Loyola University, Hyde Park Art Center, Woman-made Gallery, Expo Chicago, Chicago Art Department, Jamaat Art gallery Mumbai and Art Heritage Gallery New Delhi.
She has contributed to several public art projects including the streetscape design for Devon Avenue (little India) and the terrain biennale. Through community programming- she invites participants to engage in growing roots, meditative inward looking and cross-cultural exploration. Tulika is the recipient of the South Asian Artists Relief fund, the Make/Together grant from the ATHENA foundation and the recipient of the Illinois Art Fund- 3 Arts Relief grant 2020.
http://tulika.art | IG @tulikaartist
Melissa Zeigler Monroe | Heads, High Fired Stoneware.
Melissa Monroe is a ceramic artist who is exploring the use of the female head as artistic expression, decoration, and interactive medium. Ceramic vases are often utilitarian items for arranging flowers and other displays. These pieces are created with the intention that each piece has an artistic life of its own that will extend into the home space with the purpose and use changing as the owner interacts with the piece.
The lady vases expressions are moody, pleasant and sometimes neutral and distant. These faces can artistically stand alone or be complemented with flowers, branches or other natural elements to add an expressive explosion from the top of the heads.
The surface of the pieces vary in color and have undergone very different glazing techniques. Those with running glazes are covered in an ash glaze created using the left-over ash from a friend’s smoker. These vases are coming from the ashes to live again. Other vases have a gas fire glazing with a reduction firing that creates surprise flashes of color and variation that cannot be replicated. The all-white vases reflect the controlled environment of an electric kiln.
Several of the pieces in the show are closed form with a variety of interaction intended. Some function as rattles that you are invited to handle, shake and appreciate the weight and texture. These pieces are about managing life and taking your head on a journey in which you are often not fully in control. The internal pieces “roll with” the head while the face smiles and carries on.
Shawn Vincent | Trickle Down, Ceramic, crystals, wire, pipe. 2021
Shawn Vincent Artist Statement
I have been a practicing ceramic artist for 28 years. I work primarily on the wheel and strive for simplicity, elegance, and grace of form. Although my work is functional I have a tendency to make my pieces as unique as possible. After I throw my pieces I usually cut them down, carve them or take them out of the round. I also use found objects, gemstones, or Swarovski crystals, wiring them into bowls to create a sense of movement and balance. When I am making a piece I do it with the intent that it be used. I think using a piece daily keeps it alive.
When I have an exhibit, I tend to be more experimental and do many installations. Drawing on my degree in biology, much of my installation work deals with the body and how our everyday life affects our physiological make-up. The interaction between our physical space and how we incorporate it into our system is reflected in my ceramic pieces.
As an instructor I use creativity and innovation to motivate, impart knowledge, and facilitate learning. The ability to inspire people to stretch themselves and their work is something I strive for everyday.
Shawn Vincent received a B.S. degree from Western Illinois University with majors in both Fine Art and Biology. She spent many years working as an art director for an advertising agency and has also freelanced. Finding her true passion, Shawn has been a practicing ceramic artist for over 28 years and has been teaching for 23 years. She teaches all levels of ceramics and other mediums and has worked within the community to create one-of-a-kind installations as a visiting artist in area schools. She has exhibited her pottery and ceramic installations at various galleries and venues throughout the Chicago land area and her work is collected nationwide. Shawn has been School Manager at Riverside Arts Center for over 12 years.