Artist: Adam Chau
Adam Chau, NEW YORK
View Artist's Products
The production of objects has moved from using analog tools powered
exclusively using the hands to computer-generated output where automated machines perform functions void of the human. In terms of contemporary objectmaking, computer aided technology has dominated how we think and make decisions. My work explores how we can introduce the human hand into computer-controlled environments. I make handmade tools that have replaced standardized bits on a CNC machine in order to create ceramic objects. By having a unique tool only made possible by the hand, the outcomes (whether it be in form or decoration) differ from each other even when the program is repeated every time. This methodology has the potential to change the craft and design industry, where a hybrid practice can see the benefits of both worlds.
EDUCATION
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
2013 - Master of Design - Designed Objects Department
Michigan State University
2011 - Post-Baccalaureate - Ceramics Department
Maine College of Art
2010 - Bachelor of Fine Art - Ceramics Department
EXPERIENCE
May 2015 - Present Program Manager - Clay Art Center - Port Chester, NY
Management of year-round educational programming including workshops, adult classes, and artist.
Management of nationally recognized gallery, curating year-long themes.
Feb 2014 - Aug 2014 Program Director - Maine FabLab - Biddeford, ME
Programming digital technology education for youth and adults. Responsible for matainance of machinery
and consultant for new digital technology procurement. Programmed design curriculum for the Maine
Public School System. Obtained partnership with Maine State Library.
May 2011 - May 2013 CNC Technician / TA for fabrication classes - SAIC - Chicago IL
Responsible for matainance of CNC machine and other power tools. Troubleshooting CNC files from
students and gave insight into proper design for digital fabrication.
CURATION
2018
NCECA FABLAB - Exhibition and Program - Pittsburgh, PA
ORIENTED - NCECA - Pittsburgh, PA
2017 REINVENTED - Clay Art Center - September 2017 / The Clay Studio - January
2016
HOT POTS - Co-curation with Judith Schwartz Ph.D., Clay Art Center
COLORFIELD - New York Ceramics and Glass Fair - Bohemian National Hall, NY
PUBLICATIONS AND REVIEWS
2018 Digital by Design - Ceramics Monthly
2017
REINVENTED - Clay Art Center - catalog design and essay
Limbo - Studio Potter - Summer/Fall
Digital Age Optimism - Ceramics Technical - Summer
Interview - CFILEOnline
2016
A Tipping Point - Catalog - Northern Clay Centter
IN OUR BACKYARD - exerpt for HOT POTS - Clay Art Center
2015
Digital Surfaces - Studio Potter - Summer
Artaxis - Online Database - Artaxis.org
Digital Calligraphy - Ceramics Monthly - May
Data-Clay - Online Database - Data-Clay.org - Acceptance
2014 Digital Calligraphy - Cfileonline.org - Online Publication
2013 FUNCTIONAL FICTION - Functional Fiction
2011 TAPPED 2 - Manifest Gallery
2010 500 VASES - Lark Books Publications
AWARDS
2018 NCECA Emerging Artist Award
2014 Belvedere Grant - Funds to purchase CNC milling machine
Shapeoko 2 - Grant to procure a CNC machine for Maine FabLab
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2018 ORIENTED - NCECA - Pittsburgh, PA
SCREENSHOT - Harvard Ceramics Gallery - Allston, MA
DUO SHOW with JENNIFER LING DATCHUK - Hammond Museum - North Salem, NY
2017 POP-UP SHOP - CFILE - Online
SMALL FAVORS - The Clay Studio - Portland, OR
Philadelphia, PA
A TIPPING POINT - Northern Clay Center - Portland OR
2016 TRANSFERENCE - The Clay Studio - Philadelphia, PA
ATOMS & BYTES - Bellevue Arts Museum - Bellvue, WA
ACROSS THE LAND ACROSS THE TABLE - NCECA - Kansas City, MO
A TIPPING POINT - Northern Clay Center - Minneapolis MN
DIGITAL CALLIGRAPHY - Solo Show - Center for Digital Arts SUNY - Peekskill, NY
2015 SMALL FAVORS X - The Clay Studio - Philadelphia, PA
MECA CERAMICS ALUMNI - NCECA - ArtProv Gallery - Providence, RI
2013 SET-OFF - Sullivan Gallery - Chicago, IL
FUNCTIONAL FICTION - NADA - New York, NY
Sullivan Gallery - Chicago, IL
2012 WHATNOT - Rossana Orlandi - Milan, Italy
ICFF - New York, NY
Sullivan Gallery - Chicago, IL
TAPPED 2 - Manifest Gallery - Cincinatti, OH
WORKSHOPS
2017 NCECA FabLab demonstration and lecture - Portland OR
2016 NCECA process room demonstrator - Kansas City MO
Digital Ceramics - One day workshop - Clay Art Center - Port Chester NY
2014
3D Modeling and Printing- One week workshop for kids - Maine College of Art
3D Printing for kids - Workshop - McArthur Library - Biddeford ME
PechaKucha - Lecture - Engine - Biddeford ME
Intro to Rhinoceros - 3 session workshop - Engine - Biddeford ME
2011 Ceramic Decals - Workshop - Michigan State University - Lansing MI
COMMISSION
2014 Ayumi Horie - Ceramic technology consulting
2013 Functional Fiction - Brand development, exhibition and object design
2012 WHATNOT - Brand development, exhibition and object design
2010 MECA Art Honors Award - Object design
ASSISTANTSHIPS
2014 Ted Noten - 3d Modeling and concept design (3 month)
FABRICA - design residency in Treviso, Italy (2 weeks)
2013 Sung Bae Jang - CNC furniture production (3 month)
2011 Blake Williams - Ceramic Fabrication (1 year)