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Award Winners 2001
Offering
Journey
Sunbreak
Antique
Amphora
Untitled
(Barque)
Participating Artists 2001 Artists currently reside in the U.S. unless otherwise noted: Lydia
Afia
Contributors We are grateful for the generous support of the following individuals, organizations and businesses who enriched the debut of ‘Ashes to Art ' in inumerable ways. Award Sponsors: Best
of Show ($500) Purchase
Award ($350) Excellence
in Clay Bay
Area Clay Artist Award Other Contributors and Supporters Individuals Adela
Akers Businesses Atelier
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In addition to staff photos, pictures from the exhibition are provided courtesy of Stephen D. Gross, Alice and John Micklewright, and Nathan Robinson.
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The
San Francisco Debut Ashes to Art cast a bright, memorable light in a beautiful setting on a key concept being advanced by Funeria.. that art and beauty sanctify life - helping to assuage our sorrows and fear of death. Visitors saw a stunning display of 100 new fine art and fine craft urns, vessels, and reliquaries for funerary ashes - representing the intent of 80 artists from 28 states and 8 countries to honor life through art. The artwork had never been assembled before, many pieces were created specifically for the show, and all but one piece was available for sale. It was a personality-rich experience all around. Each piece had its admirers and each was appreciatively, respectfully, and sometimes quizzically received by an eager audience of 300 over three days who took advantage of brief lulls in the series of storms that otherwise characterized the Bay Area between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Subsequent sales included poignant work such as ‘Fruto’ by Diana Mendieta. Matthew Rope’s ‘Horned Vessel’ was bought by another artist whose work was in the show, and several commissions for new works by several artists were taken as well. Specially commissioned work included a personalized version of Best of Show ($500) winner ‘Offering’ - Tamar Kern’s elegant silverplate over copper cast of hollow cupped hands. The commissioned piece will be fashioned from sterling silver fitted on an equally meticulously crafted custom black iron stand. Kristin Doner’s 700 cu. in. capacity raku-fired ceramic ‘Antique Amphora’ earned her a $100 gift certificate from ClayPeople while the vessel itself was acquired by a couple who had lost their beloved dog just two weeks earlier. Michael Creed’s much admired wood, paper and metal 21" high cigar urn, ‘Special Reserve’, sold to a buyer who was additionally delighted to learn that the Spanish cedar-lined artwork is a fully functional humidor. Driving Rain, Bright Spirits Words alone can only express a portion of the experience. Being there was quite something else. The adrenaline running through our cumulative veins during the rough weather that hit San Francisco during move-in and set up (..and where oh where did our red tent go?) could have powered Northern California and a few neighborhoods in Portland. Our new lighting system, designed by Christiane Michaela Vincent (a world class sculptor when she’s not helping her friends out), was being tested for the first time and succeeded brilliantly. Our small, smart force of advisors and volunteers rose to every challenge thrust upon them.... while remaining focused, gracious and good-humored during the entire time (especially the Amazing Bob Lander.... Robin’s dad and our heroic Everyman who was also our gleeful demonstrator of Jimmy Descant’s VR-18 –’The Loved One’ assemblage rocketship). Beyond Beauty While the artwork drew the greatest attention during the show, we also had the pleasure of hearing Salli Rasberry speak movingly on the subject of death, dying, and ritual and then reading from her new book ‘The Art of Dying: Honoring and Celebrating Life’s Passages’ (Celestial Arts, 2001, with Carole Rae Watanabe). We also learned a great deal in the most gentle yet forthright way from Jerri Lyons, founder of Final Passages—an organization and training center at the forefront of a movement toward planning home funerals in much the same way as midwives help families prepare for birth. Beyond Loss If you are feeling an aching or longing in your heart over the loss of someone or something, we hope you will take the time to consider the concept that Funeria is advancing and that we saw so beautifully demonstrated in the debut of ‘Ashes to Art’ - that art and beauty sanctify life, and in doing so, can help to heal a troubled heart. Ashes
to Art: Special Edition We
couldn't have guessed that Ashes to Art: Special Edition, held
in our gallery/offices in the midst of California's most prestigious
vineyard region would draw so many visitors—doubling the
number at our San Francisco debut. The opening reception on January
28th at Atelier One in Graton, California, was filled with people
who had either missed the earlier exhibition and sale, or were
returning to see what new work we had acquired since December.
Having a lovely starry night and an art-conscious community—always
eager to see new work—certainly served us well too. The
subsequent sales that it earned was as pleasurable as the opening.
As at the Fort Mason Center Firehouse, we kept all work on display
until the end of the show. At show's end, we delivered several
more pieces to new homes. Some sold to art collectors who enjoyed
the work for its beauty alone. Others were purchased to be put
to their noble intent—accommodating the ashes of loved ones. While
much of the success of the Special Edition was attributable to
word-of-mouth and postcard mailings, our greatest pleasure was
in seeing Chris Rizzo's machined aluminum rocketship dominate
the front cover of the North Bay's first of the year, must-read
weekly, 'Bohemian' newspaper. Thanks to The Bohemian's Patrick
Sullivan and Paula Harris, you can read about Funeria and the
Special Edition in the "Art
& Ashes" story. The full feature article is called
"Cremation
Nation." Time
to Visit. Time to Think. Ashes to Art: Special Edition included the work of 34 artists from throughout the U.S. and from New Zealand, France, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada and Mexico. With such great variety, everyone seeing the work found something to admire. Also
gratifying was spending time with so many individuals who traveled
from all over the Bay Area to see the work. One visitor—the
eldest of nine children who had just lost their father, had just
endured a difficult experience on receiving his father's ashes
in plastic bags from the crematorium. Surely there are other inexpensive
means of transporting ashes that are gentler during a very difficult
time. Every story reveals new opportunities to provide art and
beauty—elegant simplicity at the very least—to those
who need it most. In consideration of that not uncommon experience,
Funeria is finding artful containers that are specifically designed
for transporting funerary ashes. In some instances, they may even
serve as the permanent container (though most that we're seeing
serve a biodegradable purpose as well). To all the visitors to Ashes to Art: Special Edition, thank you for your time, perspectives and support. To those of you visiting Ashes to Art Online for the first time, stay tuned for word of future Ashes to Art exhibitions presented by Funeria in a major metropolitan area (or vineyard region) near you.
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