Released: December 15, 2008
Lincoln, Neb. - Susan Dewsnap, who received her Master of Fine Arts in ceramics in May 2008 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has had her piece, "Four Small Plates," accepted into the 5th World Ceramic Biennale 2009 in Korea.
Ceramists from all over the world were invited to take part in the 5th World Ceramic Biennale 2009 Korea (CEBIKO) International Competition. This grand-scale international event focuses on defining new values and creative direction for the 21st century ceramic arts.
The competition drew nearly 3,200 entries from 1.726 applicants from 70 countries. The preliminary screening was Nov. 3-12, and 186 works were selected in two categories: 118 works from Ceramics as Expression (pure formative art using diverse ceramic techniques and materials) and 68 works from Ceramics for Use. (ceramic works that are applicable to everyday life and contribute to the development of aesthetic and industrial aspects of ceramic arts).
The 186 works selected will be on exhibition from April 25-June 21, 2009, at the Icheon World Ceramic Center and Gyeonggi Ceramic Museum. The exhibition is entitled "Adventures of the Fire." A final screening will take place in February to determine the prize winners.
Dewsnap's "Four Small Plates" were selected in the Ceramics for Use category. Dewsnap was only one of 12 from the U.S. selected in the category, and one of only 39 from the U.S. selected in the entire competition.
Dewsnap said she was very excited about the honor. "I am very excited and a bit incredulous," she said. "I will note that a fortune cookie from one of Lincoln's local Chinese restaurants recently informed me that I would receive good news from very far away."
Dewsnap, who lives in Lincoln, created "Four Small Plates" last summer, shortly after finishing her M.F.A. at UNL.
"They continue my interest in painting as much as ceramic history, and how these can come together to make beautiful things."
Dewsnap may travel to Korea for the exhibition. "I would love to travel to Korea for this exhibit," she said. "I've never traveled to the Far East, where so much of the ceramic history I admire originates. I have always been inspired by Korean ceramics, in part because of its admiration and innovation of ceramic traditions. It would also be really fabulous to see work up close and in person rather than in reproductions."
Hixson-Lied Professor of Art Gail Kendall, one of Dewsnap's ceramics professors at UNL, says she is not surprised by Dewsnap's success. "Susan was a highly focused graduate student who embodied the ideal combination of talent, ambition and work ethic that usually defines a good artist," Kendall said. "I'm pleased that our graduate students leave the program ready to tackle international venues like this Korean exhibition. The fact that Susan was accepted testifies to the high level of creativity and resolution we see in her work. We are very proud of her."
Visit CEBIKO for more information.