Gold-lustre vases and a glowing wall hanging by Red Deer ceramicist Trudy Golley are being featured in an exhibition of the world’s best porcelain artworks in Macau, China.
Anyone walking though the Rococo opulence of the Sands Macau Hotel from now until October will see three of Golley’s white and gold vases encased in a glass cabinet.
They are among 90 master works created by 27 international ceramic artists for the All That’s Gold Does Glitter show in the Art Macao festival.
On top of this honour, Golley, who teaches visual arts at Red Deer College, is also one of only four global ceramicists whose work was chosen for exhibit at the Macau Museum of Art.
Her reflective porcelain wall-hanging, Great Wave, which casts a glowing aura, is showing there along with intricate ceramic pieces by artists Vipoo Srivilasa (Australia), Jason Walker (U.S.) and Caroline Cheng (China).
Paintings, video art and sculpture are also part of this museum exhibit, said Golley, who is “extremely proud” to be involved in the festival.
“This is truly an honour and a privilege.”
Her Great Wave piece was already purchased by an admirer. Although Golley doesn’t yet know whether it’s destined for a private or public collection, she’s extremely excited to have such a high-profile opportunity to show her works.
“It’s also been wonderful to meet other artists who are working at the top of their game.”
Golley was overwhelmed by the lavish venues and publicity for Art Macau, which she feels is striving to become the “Venice Biennale of the East.”
Artists are treated like “rock stars” in Macau, where Golley did media interviews and had her work appear in a promotional video for the festival.
Yet, “everyone involved was so humble and inclusive and fun. It’s been an absolutely incredible event,” she said.
The Red Deer ceramicist had been invited to participate in the festival by the curator of the All That’s Gold show, Caroline Cheng.
“It all started from the power of a ‘Yes,’” recalled Golley, who had agreed in 2005 to create a sculpture in Shanghai and reconnected with Cheng.
Golley first met Cheng in 1996 in Hong Kong. The two got to know each other over the years as Golley did more research iand artistic residencies in China.
She honed her techniques in Beijing, Shanghai and Jingdezhen, considered the historical home of China’s porcelain-making industry.
Golley credits China for “opening up some possibilities” for her work.
She’s among the first ceramicists in Canada to gain proficiency in using chromium or titanium metals to create gold and silver surfaces on ceramics.
The physical vapour deposition method is an industrial process that involves vaporizing metal in a vacuum chamber using high voltage plasma energy, which deposits metal coatings onto the ceramic objects within.
The gold and silver surfaces are shiny on glazed areas and matte on unglazed ceramics.
Golley also gives the administration at Red Deer College credit for supporting her professional development.
Her meticulous sculptural, vessel-based works can be seen closer to home as part of the Cultivate/Instigate exhibit in Edmonton at the Alberta Crafts Council Gallery.
Golley would like to explore future opportunities to exhibit more in Canada.
lmichelin@reddeeradvocate.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
