Journal Postings: Thomas Edwards
| (06/25/09): Sanbao |  The Sanbao International Ceramic Art Institute of Jingdezhen is nestled in a serene valley. The mountains are steep and covered in thick rich vegetation of all sorts. In the valley floor, and butted up against the mountains is the Sanbao Working Ceramic Village. In the middle of the valley there are rice paddies and gardens and a small stream where fish can be seen swimming. Sanbao is translated as “three treasures” the strength of bamboo, the delicate nature of tea, and the fine translucence of porcelain, a fitting name for this beautiful environment.
The Institute is currently in the process of expansion. The resident quarters as well as the studio, on the studio side there are offices being built, new kiln sheds, glazing areas, and a new facility to host print making on ceramics (for the bi-annual print making symposium).
The ceramic studio is shared space with individual work stations. The wheels, for the residents that throw, face the windows looking out on the mountains. This studio set up reminds me so much of my master potter’s in Colorado. It is the kind of surrounding that music is not needed because nature is so full of its own symphony, birds, cicadas and other insects, the usually gentle breeze caressing the plants and the lazy gurgling of the stream. Sometimes it is easy to get lost in the dream of it, and stare into the seemingly endless mountains. How wonderful this place is to work.
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| (06/02/09): My first experience in China | | The internet has been kind of spotty, so I have been writing in my journal and will post them when the reception is clear.
May 22nd
Today I left Salt Lake City, I am to fly LA, then to Seoul, Korea, to Shanghai, China, and my last flight will be to Jingdezhen on the 5th. This is my first trip outside the US and am filled with anticipation for this life changing experience and mild anxiety for what I do not know.
I have been waiting for this opportunity for more than five years and still cannot believe that I am going to be in China in a matter of days. I am going to be a resident artist at the Sanbao Ceramic Art Institute of Jingdezhen. This is going to give me time and space to make a body of work. I have no idea what I am going to make, I have ideas that I want to pursue if I start out over-stimulated, but the whole idea for me to come to China was that my way of working was completely changed from a mere photograph of a rural market place that I cannot even begin to imagine how my work will change once I see this culture so rich in ceramic history.
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| (06/02/09): First day in China | | May 22nd
Today I left Salt Lake City, I am to fly LA, then to Seoul, Korea, to Shanghai, China, and my last flight will be to Jingdezhen on the 5th. This is my first trip outside the US and am filled with anticipation for this life changing experience and mild anxiety for what I do not know.
I have been waiting for this opportunity for more than five years and still cannot believe that I am going to be in China in a matter of days. I am going to be a resident artist at the Sanbao Ceramic Art Institute of Jingdezhen. This is going to give me time and space to make a body of work. I have no idea what I am going to make, I have ideas that I want to pursue if I start out over-stimulated, but the whole idea for me to come to China was that my way of working was completely changed from a mere photograph of a rural market place that I cannot even begin to imagine how my work will change once I see this culture so rich in ceramic history.
This image is from the very first experience in China. After we got taxied to the terminal we were prevented from exiting the plane. Due to the potential spread of H1N1, everyone's temperature was being taken before leaving the plane. Of course it is a very serious issue, but I could not prevent myself from feeling like I was in a zombie movie. These people in white jumpsuits and facemasks, so only their eyes were visible, walked through the plane, shooting us in the foreheads with a laser to take our temperatures.
From Shanghai, I caught one more flight to Jingdezhen. That was the most bizarre experience in my life, when it was time to board I was ushered down a flight of stairs and on to a bus. The bus was incredibly packed and drove all over the runways, I could see planes taking off and landing. Once the bus reached the plane all the passengers were encouraged to board and most of us watched as one more plane took off not fifty yards away.
The experience landing in Jingdezhen was absolutely surreal, the first thing I saw when I left the plane was a huge billboard with a person throwing on it. I was met at the airport by Jing Jing, the assistant to Li Wenying (one of the proprietors). As we drove through Jingdezhen I was stunned at just how much pottery there was. I had heard of and seen in photographs all the porcelain light poles, but most of what I recall was blue and white. However, there were many that had exquisite flowers, butterflies, or birds and many more.
I was thrilled to be in the city, and as we traveled closer to Sanbao the scenery exponentially grew more beautiful. It is clear why the traditional Chinese landscape paintings look the way they do. When we reached Sanbao, there were contemporary walls built using old pots and sculpture. These arrangements act as both a testament to time and homage to the culture. I am so very fortunate to have this experience.
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| (06/02/09): First day in China | | May 22nd
Today I left Salt Lake City, I am to fly LA, then to Seoul, Korea, to Shanghai, China, and my last flight will be to Jingdezhen on the 5th. This is my first trip outside the US and am filled with anticipation for this life changing experience and mild anxiety for what I do not know.
I have been waiting for this opportunity for more than five years and still cannot believe that I am going to be in China in a matter of days. I am going to be a resident artist at the Sanbao Ceramic Art Institute of Jingdezhen. This is going to give me time and space to make a body of work. I have no idea what I am going to make, I have ideas that I want to pursue if I start out over-stimulated, but the whole idea for me to come to China was that my way of working was completely changed from a mere photograph of a rural market place that I cannot even begin to imagine how my work will change once I see this culture so rich in ceramic history.
This image is from the very first experience in China. After we got taxied to the terminal we were prevented from exiting the plane. Due to the potential spread of H1N1, everyone's temperature was being taken before leaving the plane. Of course it is a very serious issue, but I could not prevent myself from feeling like I was in a zombie movie. These people in white jumpsuits and facemasks, so only their eyes were visible, walked through the plane, shooting us in the foreheads with a laser to take our temperatures.
From Shanghai, I caught one more flight to Jingdezhen. That was the most bizarre experience in my life, when it was time to board I was ushered down a flight of stairs and on to a bus. The bus was incredibly packed and drove all over the runways, I could see planes taking off and landing. Once the bus reached the plane all the passengers were encouraged to board and most of us watched as one more plane took off not fifty yards away.
The experience landing in Jingdezhen was absolutely surreal, the first thing I saw when I left the plane was a huge billboard with a person throwing on it. I was met at the airport by Jing Jing, the assistant to Li Wenying (one of the proprietors). As we drove through Jingdezhen I was stunned at just how much pottery there was. I had heard of and seen in photographs all the porcelain light poles, but most of what I recall was blue and white. However, there were many that had exquisite flowers, butterflies, or birds and many more.
I was thrilled to be in the city, and as we traveled closer to Sanbao the scenery exponentially grew more beautiful. It is clear why the traditional Chinese landscape paintings look the way they do. When we reached Sanbao, there were contemporary walls built using old pots and sculpture. These arrangements act as both a testament to time and homage to the culture. I am so very fortunate to have this experience.
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| (04/27/09): Update |  To start my online journal I would like to give kind of a synopsis of what I have been doing. In December of 2007 I was nominated by the faculty of the Appalachian Center for Craft to take part in an exhibition at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts in Nashville Tennessee. The title of the exhibition was The Future/Now: Mid-State Art Majors. The exhibition was a very good representation of the undergraduate programs from across the state of Tennessee. The piece of mine that was nominated to be in the show was titled Blessed Are the Barren (see image).
In January of 2008 I was invited to have a solo exhibition in Space 204 at the Ingram Studio Arts Center at Vanderbilt University. I was able to show my undergraduate thesis entitled Automaton; along with two new pieces I had made continuing the series. During this exhibition I was approached by the Tennessee Arts Commission to purchase Blessed Are the Barren for their permanent collection. I am very honored to be part of that incredible collection and to have it on permanent display.
Last April I was informed that I was selected as one of ten Windgate Fellows, this set in motion something that I have been anticipating for more than five years, the opportunity to study in China. I was accepted as a resident artist at the Sanbao Ceramic Art Institute at Jingdezhen. Here, in the birthplace of porcelain, I am going to be immersed in the culture and ceramic heritage, and afforded the opportunity to make a body of work.
During this academic year (2008-2009) while I have awaiting my residency, I have been working as the Shop Technician for the Studio Arts Center at Vanderbilt University. I will also continue this position when I return from China.
Three weeks ago I went to the NCECA conference in Phoenix, Arizona where I was able to meet the president of Sanbao, Jackson Li. I am looking forward to working with him and the other residents starting May 25th.
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who we are