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Satake offers insights on ceramics at Art Museum event

What does an Iznik pottery plate made in Asia Minor during the 17th century have in common with a plate made by a Chinese artist in 1999? How are they different? What materials and techniques did the artists use? These two works from the West Virginia University Art Collection will be the subject of the Art Museum of WVU’s next Art Up Close! event, to be held Tuesday, Feb. 26.

Shoji Satake, coordinator of the Ceramics Program in the WVU College of Creative Arts, will compare and contrast the ceramic plate from 17th century Anatolia with a contemporary plate created by artist Yu Yong in 1999.

“The talk will focus on Jingdezhen, China, as having a central role in the spread of porcelain and I’ll discuss how cultures throughout the world have fought, traded, begged and replicated ceramics,” he said.

Titled “La Maladie de Porcelaine: Porcelain Sickness,” his presentation begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Museum Education Center Grand Hall and will be followed by a question-and-answer session and light refreshments. Those attending will also be able to view the two ceramic works up close.

This program was originally scheduled on Feb. 9, but was cancelled due to a snowstorm.

Satake is coordinator of the WVU School of Art and Design’s ceramics program in Jingdezhen. He received his Master of Fine Arts degree in Ceramics from Indiana University, Bloomington, and his bachelor’s degree in Studio Art from The College of William and Mary. He has conducted workshops and exhibited nationally and internationally. Some of his most recent activities include the “Japan/USA Exhibition” at Santa Fe Clay, the 2004 Summer Visiting Artist Workshop at the University of Winnipeg, Manitoba, the Jingdezhen, China “1000 Years of Porcelain International Exhibition,” “Yellow Ball Project,” Antwerp, Belgium, and the exhibition “From Hoosier Hands” at the Richmond Fine Arts Museum in Richmond, Indiana.

Art Up Close! events are held several times each year and present WVU faculty and guest artists from various disciplines discussing a single work of art from the perspectives of their disciplines. Audience members have the opportunity to view the actual works of art at the programs.

Art Up Close! is co-sponsored by the Art Museum of WVU and the Friends of the Museum, a membership group for people who enjoy the arts and social, educational and cultural activities revolving around art.