Kim Dryden
"Oh Shino!"

North Carolina potter Kim Dryden will be featured at MudFire Gallery with a large collection of new works in September 2006. Kim works in pure white porcelain and finishes her pottery with a dynamic carbon-trap shino glaze. The combination creates a luxuriously colored surface reminiscent of Rothko's earthier color field paintings, but imbued with a dynamic sense of movement that only flame roaring through a kiln can create. Dryden's clay "canvases" provide a worthy home for the sublime and surprising effects that shino alternately yields.

The exhibit runs September 16 through October 14, with an opening reception 5pm-9pm on Saturday, September 16 of 2006.

Kim Dryden - About the Artist

Kim Dryden studied ceramics and lives in North Carolina, where her artistic career has been steadily gathering momentum since completing the post-baccalaureate Graduate-Professional Pottery Program at Haywood Community College in 2002. She was accepted in 2003 into the prestigious Southern Highland Craft Guild, and shows her work in approximately 15 galleries throughout the southeast. More recently she has begun teaching workshops at her alma mater and other art centers. Dryden has begun exploring woodcraft and been experimenting with intersections between wood and her clay work.

Kim Dryden and Shino Glaze

Shino glazes for ceramic ware are believed to have originated in the Mino and Seto regions of Japan in the 15th century. This surface treatment was initially revisited in the United States in the 1970's by students of Warren McKenzie in Minnesota, and carried on in depth by Malcolm Davis in Washington, DC. These "American shinos" are extremely sensitive to variations in kiln atmosphere, and a single glaze formulation may vary widely in appearance depending on placement, firing practice, and method of application. These variables provide fertile ground for the adventurous, resulting in growing appreciation and use by contemporary ceramicists. Shino glazes were recently the feature of a major exhibition concurrent with the 2005 NCECA conference, the world's leading ceramic professional and academic gathering. Curated by shino master Malcolm Davis, "Shino Review" was a highlight of the conference. Dryden's work was included in this important juried exhibit.

Kim Dryden - Artist Statement

My work in clay has been devoted exclusively to porcelain using both the pottery wheel and hand-building techniques. I am greatly influenced by the human form, in particular human gestures we see daily. When I create my pots it’s like creating little characters. I discover attitudes in the way the pot stands, in the placement of attachments, in shape and size and in proportions. I continually sketch ideas and experiment with new forms and proportions. My pots constantly change through success and failure, from what I envision to the outcome. I always ask myself “how can I make that pot better”.

The glaze I use is a Carbon-trap Shino Glaze which appeals to both our visual and tactile senses. It has a warm, earthy look and gives lots of color and movement when overlapped with other glazes. I have no control over the glaze once it is being fired in the kiln so it’s always a surprise. Just like life.

Through the years I have watched my figurative drawings come to life. I am inspired by the human body and strive to make pots fun, friendly, and beaming with character. I hope you will discover the friendly characters of my pots that grow more personal with each use.

Kim Dryden - Artist Resume

EDUCATION

Aug. 2005 - present, Haywood Community College. Clyde, NC
Professional woodworking program

Aug. 2000 - July 2002, Haywood Community College. Clyde, NC
Graduate-Professional Pottery Program

Aug. 1989 - May 1993, East Carolina University. Greenville, NC
BS Physical Education

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2002 - present, full time studio potter.

Good Earth Studio - Waynesville, NC. Throwing and altering workshop. Handles workshop. 2006.

Haywood Community College - Clyde, NC. Pots with personality workshop. Spring 2006.

Haywood Community College - Clyde, NC. PCC 118 Independent Study. Summer 2006.

EXHIBITIONS

2006 Oh Shino! Works by Kim Dryden. MudFire Clayworks and Gallery Decatur, GA. Solo exhibition.

2006 Kim Dryden : Ceramic Artist. NC Crafts Gallery. Carrboro, NC. Solo exhibition.

2005 Endless Variations: Shino Review 2005 - Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD.

2004 Visual Relations: Kim Dryden. Burr Gallery. Waynesville, NC. Solo exhibition.

PUBLICATIONS

Clay Times - May/June 2006 - The Gallery.