
536: Brian Nettles on recovering from Hurricane Katrina
Tales of a Red Clay Rambler: A pottery and ceramic art podcastShow Notes
Brian Nettles is a potter and educator based in Pass Christian, MS, an area that was hit hard by a 35-foot storm surge during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. We start our interview talking about the history of ceramics in southern Mississippi and the influence of bayous and cypress swamps on his aesthetic. The second part of the interview focuses on his experience rebuilding his home and studio after Katrina, as well as tips for navigating recovery resources after a natural disaster. In addition to his own studio, he was the Studio Director of Ceramics at the Ohr O'Keefe Museum of Art in Biloxi, MS from 1997-2005. www.nettlespottery.com.
Today's episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com Cornell Studio Supply www.cornellstudiosupply.com Archie Bray Residencies www.archiebray.org
More from Tales of a Red Clay Rambler: A pottery and ceramic art podcast
Shikha Joshi uses utility as a jumping off point to create objects that look like they are shaped from rock and earth. In our interview we talk about infusing clay with local soil, spraying glazes, and saggar firing in electric kilns to create surfaces that mimic geologic formations. potterybyshikha.com
Tim Compton, Athena Procsal, Matt Wren, and Rich Holck join me to talk about the ceramic program at Historic Yellow Springs in Chester Springs, PA. The village has been home to a resort, revolutionary war hospital, and since the 70's a ceramic community. In our interview we talk about the history of the village and the thriving wood fire program, which hosts artists from around the region for 35 firings a year. yellowsprings.org
Adam Chau returns to the show to talk about his upcoming exhibition The Joy and Sorrow of Imagining at Northern Clay Center. The exhibition depicts the life of Billie, an A.I. generated son, that was created by blending images of Chau and his husband. In our interview we talk about the evolution of Billie and how new technologies can shift our emotional reality. We also talk about Chau's recent collaboration with Lennox China, where he created presidential dinner ware for a Queer American President. www.adamchau.com
Today we dive into the archive for a 2013 panel with Josh Copus, Alex Matisse, and Lindsay Rogers. Our discussion centers around the crossover between farm-to-table dining and the ceramic world. In the interview we talk about the basics of farm-to-table, the search for authenticity, and designing site specific ware for a restaurant setting. Thanks to Gabriel Kline who hosted us for this live taping at Odyssey Clay Works in Asheville, NC. www.odysseyclayworks.com. www.joshcopus.com www.eastforkpottery.com www.lindsayrogersceramics.com
Ashton Keen creates sets of pouring pots and dinnerware that have subtle flashes of orange, yellow, and white. In our interview we talk about ways to approach being thoughtful in the studio, making soda fired pots at cone 4, and her residency at Harvard Ceramics. Her solo show All Things Considered is up now through August 7th. To see images follow Ashton on Instagram.