[BCMA] Swedish clay artist Press release

Mon Mar 20 12:20:24 PDT 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2017

*Caetani Centre and Vernon Arts Centre are pleased to present Three events
scheduled for Ceramic Artist Kristina Brandeus Kirkkopelto, visiting from
Stockholm, Sweden. Public is Welcome to all events!*

*HAPPY HARVEST: Exhibition & Opening Reception *Thursday, March 30, 7-9 pm,
Caetani Centre Studio Gallery
3401 Pleasant Valley Road, Vernon, BC
Exhibition continues to April 13
Gallery Viewing Hours: Mon - Sat 1-6 pm, Closed Tues & Sun

*KITSCH-IT: Ceramic Workshop *Saturday, April 1, 10 am - 1 pm
Vernon Community Arts Centre
All Age Levels Welcome ~ Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult
Register at VCAC: 250-542-6243

*Artist Presentation *Wednesday, April 5, 7-8 pm
Vernon Community Arts Centre

Heartbreak can be a catalyst for inspiration.

Kristina Brandeus Kirkkopelto uses ceramic fountains, everyday objects such
as cookie jars, and furniture as a means to communicate stories. Many of
the objects were first inspired by Andy Warhol’s collection.

Life incidents often shapes an artist’s response to their materials and
images. The artist began this series of work upon the ending of a long-term
relationship that had not been notably marred by arguments or discord,
except when it came to home decorating.

“He wanted really sterile and clean furniture, and I wanted colors and just
pretty much the opposite of his style in general.” said Kirkkopelto.

After living in this relationship where everything about decorating the
home was a compromise and unsatisfying for her love of decorating and
collecting; she now longed for creating the objects and furniture she
always wished for. She began to dream of creating fountains, garden
accessories, cookie jars, and furniture such as a ceramic base living room
table.

“I started working with ceramic sculpture in relation with the functioning
aspect of fountains. I wanted to make sculptures where the fountain would
act as the scene for the tale which I wanted to tell. Later on, my ideas
surrounding the fountain evolved, and instead of using it only as a
“platform” or a “base”, the idea of a ceramic object and a fountain that
were interdependent of each other became more interesting. I discovered
that by combining these two elements equally, it would exaggerate what I
wanted to tell with my pieces. I want to further discover to what extent I
can use this interdependence.”

Her work is fresh, charming, humorous and a little bit dark! Kirkkopelto
explains, “The fountain adds an element of surprise and humor to my
sculptures. I believe this sort of “fun” function is something to dig
deeper into. I would like my ceramic objects to use function in such
sophisticated way, that they are mainly pieces of art rather than
functioning objects.”

Titles are an important part of the pieces. A cute and kitschy sculpture
can, with the right title, suddenly become something with a deeper meaning.
She likes to work with multiple objects where individual titles can tell
stories when placed together.

This desire to create wonderful colorful objects, which would be out of the
ordinary and amazing for any adventurous decorator to have in their homes,
provided the impetus behind her current residency. She hopes to use her
time here to hone her artistic and professional skills, while experiencing
Canadian culture.

Originally born in Kymmenedalen, Finland, Kristina has lived in Sweden
since 1994. In 2016 she graduated from the Academy of Arts and Crafts,
majoring in Ceramic Art, in Gothenburg. In 2015 she attended the Exchange
at Dunedin School of Art, in New Zealand. Her work has been exhibited in
several group shows in Sweden and New Zealand.

The final exhibition to showcase the work she had created during her
residency in Canada has been designed to have matching podiums for her work
and other decorative elements to enhance the meaning of the artistic
project by playing with the whole exhibition space. The exhibition will be
held in the new Caetani Studio Gallery at the Caetani Centre, opening March
30, 7 pm.

The public is invited to also sign up for a clay workshop to explore
techniques used by the artist on April 1 held at the Vernon Community Arts
Centre. Finishing up the events will be an artist talk and discussion of
her work on April 5 at 7 pm also held at the Vernon Arts Centre.

*About the CeramAIR Ceramics Residency*

CeramAIR is a ceramics-based residency and partnership between the Caetani
Cultural Centre and the Vernon Community Arts Centre/Arts Council of the
North Okanagan in Vernon, BC.

The program provides regional, national, international ceramic artists the
ability to work in a supportive community environment of like-minded
individuals from our own arts community, to share their expertise and
vision, to inspire excellence and create work at the highest level in a
nurturing and creative environment. The artist is provided with
accommodations at the Caetani Centre, and is also provided with use of a
shared studio workspace and equipment at the Vernon Community Arts Centre
(VCAC) operated by the Arts Council of the North Okanagan (ACNO).

The residency is a multi-faceted experience that includes opportunities for
teaching, community outreach, interaction with other artists, and studio
care, and culminates in an exhibition of new work.

For more information please call the Caetani Centre 250-275-1525
www.caetani.org.

-        0     -
Susan Brandoli
Executive Director
Caetani Cultural Centre
www.caetani.org
250-275-1525
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