Residency of artists, in Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie
FR - Known as the Capital of Ceramics, Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie has been hosting a residency of artists.
Like the Villa Medicis in Rome or, closer to us, the "graphic design" residency in Saint-Léonard de Noblat or the regional centre for arts of fire and earth in Limoges, the Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie residency gives pride of its very special place to the creation of the selected artists.
Did you know ? "It is the proximity of clay quarries that was the start of the development of the pottery activity.
Archaeological excavations have revealed the existence of this craft from the end of the 14th century" (Destination Uzès Pont du Gard)
Contemporary to more traditional creations can be found in a "stimulating environment" like no other, where a mix of nationalities talks to the creative sense of everyone.
To be part in these residencies and stay for 1 to 3 months, nothing could be simpler... A resumé, a presentation of the artistic approach, a portfolio of the creations, a presentation of the project that will be developed during the residency...
Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie has had the Ville et Métiers d'art label since 1995
In 2022, 45 craftsmen, including 35 potters, will be united in a ceramics centre of excellence.
INTERVIEW
Hello Morgan,
Can you introduce us to the artists' residency of Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie in a few words?
The Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie residency welcomes ceramic artists from all over the world in order to encourage contemporary creation in a unique context, a village of art craftsmen. The residency projects create interesting synergies between craft professionals and the local population.
In 2019, with the support of the town hall, we have transformed the former girls' school into a ceramic creation studio and accommodation for the artists hosted.
A real "laboratory... artists' residencies represent a time-space, a key to supporting creation in a dynamic of international exchanges
(Ministry of Culture)
Since 2020, the entity "Capital of Ceramics" has been more structured, being a work of cooperation with the town hall, the association of the Trades of Art, the Museum of Mediterranean Pottery, the Terra Viva gallery, so many places that gives to see ceramics of art!
And in terms of cultural events, we have the Terralha European Ceramics Festival, the Biennial Young Ceramics Competition. We also take part in the European Crafts Days.
Focus on the project of the moment, the residency of territory - visual arts
We have responded to the call for projects "residency of territory - visual arts", supported by the Gard department and the DRAC Occitanie, and we have been selected!
This large-scale project brings together a contemporary artist - Kartini Thomas, and 70 participants, from a therapeutic aid centre, schools and retirement homes, to create a collaborative installation, a ceramic and sound landscape.
This human and creative adventure will be filmed by 4 oeil Production, who will make a documentary film.
How many nationalities have crossed paths since 2004?
We have been quite lucky to welcome a wide range of artists coming from Tunisia, France, the United States, Hungary, Spain, China, but also Brazil and Canada. Several artists from Eastern Europe as well.
Since the beginning of this incredible adventure, 34 artists, "chosen on the basis of their application" and presenting "a project selected according to the axes defined by the residency commission" have stayed in Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie and shared their artistic vision.
Today, we are happy to welcome the Franco-American artist Kartini Thomas, a porcelain and stoneware sculptor, who graduated from the Arts Déco in Paris and from biology at Reed University in the United States, who is pleased to join us.
She will remain in residence until 2023. Her colourful creations, in which we can see her passion for the kaijü culture, are full of imagination. Such a playful world!
Among his latest creations, there is Blue Monster Pileup or Space Monkey Pileup, small sculptures that interlock, change shape, encouraging the visitor - or buyer - to join the artist in the creation. And then there are his Lilliput, Poprocks or Pandor, where fantasy plays marvellously with light and material.
"The heart of his project? The vision of "the monsters that inhabit our personal and collective mythologies". You will be particularly surprised, as the target audience is multi-generational and promises to bring a personal seed of originality.
Once completed, the work will be presented in the form of an ephemeral cave where sound, light and ceramics will be combined in an inventive way.
Kartini Thomas follows the residency of Weronika Lucinska, a Polish artist trained at the Academy of Arts and Design in Wroclaw, who is inspired by the theme of water and light (see photos above).
How do you select your artists? Do you have partnerships with other residencies in France or abroad, with art schools perhaps?
The artists are selected according to several criteria: the choice of project and the consideration of the environment "Saint Quentin la Poterie", the artist's approach, the technical aspects of the ceramic work...
The Saint-Quentin artist residency is a temple of creation between research, experimentation, cultural mediation, cooperation with the public, whether professional, school, etc. And then, of course, there is the "residency exit" exhibition in the autumn, which presents the year's residency programmes.
Did you know? The Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie artists' residency is part of the network of ceramic centres in France, and participates in travelling exhibitions.
Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie, Capital of Ceramics, also cooperates with the city of Kyoto, in Japan, which organises the Gift Show, where Saint-Quentin artists were represented.
Many thanks to Morgan Conte, coordinator of cultural projects, at the cultural office of Saint-Quentin-la-Poteire, for her collaboration to this article.
Photos KartiniThomas©Kartini Thomas, Exhibition©Pay attention to details.
The right address: Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie, capital of ceramics, www.capitale-ceramique.com. Artists' residence, contact@officeculturel.com. Insta: #capitale_ceramique, @saintquentinlapoterie, Facebook: Capitale céramique - Office Culturel.
To read our papers on The new life of Françoise Escale Agnan and Terre d'Agathe.