Artist: Dawn Dishaw
DAWN DISHAW, MASSACHUSETTS
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My work is about function and pattern. It is important for the pieces to be dynamic; to stand out in a world full of everyday objects but to also invite familiarity and intimate use. I am interested in the relationship between history, it’s grand tradition and our small everyday experiences.
I have always been an organizer. I’m attracted to brick buildings, tiled roofs and knit cloth. For similar reasons I find myself attracted to Islamic tile and pottery, Persian painting and historical architecture. The patterns on the surfaces of my work are influenced by this interest in symmetry and the organization of like pieces. At first the patterns were an answer to a question. How do I activate the surface, to make these understated yet elegant forms seem less static? Through the varying quality of a hand drawn line, repetition of shapes and the addition of bright colors, the comfortable forms become more engaging. It’s about bringing an everyday object to the foreground.
EDUCATION
BFA – 2003, New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University - Alfred, NY
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2015
Upcoming: Emerging Artists - 18 Hands Gallery, Houston, TX
Upcoming: POW! 100 Best Potters - NCECA, Providence, RI
2014
13th Annual Craftland Show - Craftland, Providence, RI
One & Only - John Michael Kohler Arts Center: ARTspace, Sheboygan, WI
WRAPPABLE: Art for Giving (& getting!) - LUX Center for the Arts, Lincoln, NE
22nd Annual Strictly Functional Pottery National - Kevin Lehman’s Pottery, Lancaster, PA
The Second Annual "Steinfest: Present Day Interpretations" - Claymakers, Durham, NC
Small Favors IX - The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA
2014 Yunomi Invitational - AKAR, Iowa City, IA
Beyond the Brickyard—Sixth Annual Juried Exhibition - Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MO
2013
12th Annual Craftland Show - Craftland, Providence, RI
The Cup Show - Worcester Center for Crafts, Worcester, MA
Holiday 2013 Spectacular - MudFire Gallery, Decatur, GA
The Bowl Show - Worcester Center for Crafts, Worcester, MA
2012
New Work (Solo) - MudFire Gallery, Decatur, GA
WRAPPABLE: Art for Giving (& getting!) - LUX Center for the Arts, Lincoln, NE
The Cup Show – The Artisan Gallery, Northampton MA
Cups of Fire – The Clay Gallery, Ann Arbor MI
2011
Barrett Clay Works, Third National Cup Show – Barrett Art Center, Poughkeepsie NY
The Cup Show – The Artisan Gallery, Northampton MA
2003
Senior Exhibition - Alfred University, Alfred NY
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESS
2014
Ceramics Monthly (Magazine) - Emerging Artist Feature
Ceramics Monthly (Magazine) - Exposure (selected works from “Beyond the Brickyard”)
2013
Women in Art 278 - (Digital Magazine)
The Guardian Newspaper (Online Edition)- Life and Style - Beautiful homewares from The Simple Things - in pictures
Simple Things (Magazine) - Things to Wake Up and Want
Real Simple (Website) - 8 Unique Coffee Mugs
2012
Ceramics Monthly (Magazine) - Exposure (select pieces from Artisan Gallery “Cup Show”)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2012 – Present, Studio Potter, Various Locations, Currently Easthampton MA
2003 – 2013, Various Part-time Employment
2004 – 2005, Associate Volunteer – The Clay Studio, Philadelphia PA