The choice made by curator Chris Berti for this year’s Ceramic Biennale at Parkland College’s Giertz Gallery shows us spectacular multidimensional works. For the expressive work of prominent figures like Janis Mars Wunderlich and Jenny Mendes, the term Brillaint is too flat. Among other things, their works are full of color and dimension both inside and outside. From Wunderlich's Vulnerabilities to William Brouillard's steampunk Buddha statues, our senses are teased and delighted in every cup, plate, carving and multi-fired ceramic embrace.

Lisa Costello, Director of Giertz, said: “This year's exhibition is very special because the curator Chris Berti is about to retire after more than 35 years of teaching. He provided unfettered passion and expertise, and made a firm commitment to the Giltz Gallery. "Berti is a native of New York and received his bachelor's degree from Alfred University and his master's degree from Cranbrook College of Art. But his street credibility in this neighborhood is not limited to his beautiful work; it shines among the students he has taught in the past three years. When I interviewed Berti in the Ceramics Lab at Parkland College, one of his current students, Danielle, was busy working in an intricate haunted house. Berti’s students, from beginners to more advanced artists, love his serious inspiration. Berti is a precious artist and colleague of Parkland. Although his retirement is well-deserved, it will be a heavy loss for those of us who are lucky enough to work with him.

The works selected by Berti for this year’s Ceramic Biennale represent some of the best and brightest ceramic artists in the United States, especially Jenny Mendes, a native of Cleveland, Ohio and a veteran of the Penlan School. Their works in the exhibition include deer and butterfly And spiral theory, all clay works, electric fired with underglaze and terra sigillata. The dynamics and colors of these works are enough to make you go to Giertz alone. But close to Janis Mars Wunderlich (assistant professor of art at Monmouth College), the role of Dovado burnt ceramics made the exhibition even more memorable.

Wunderlich's works in the exhibition, including The Embrace, Release, Rocking the Boat and Vulnerabilities will take you into another realm of imagination. Outside of Alice's rabbit hole, through Frodo's forest, as you study these amazing characters carefully, Wunderlich's character keeps revealing more and more story elements. Like most dynamic visual arts, words are not enough: you must immerse yourself in them to master their complex beauty.

But don’t be distracted by the size and scope of Wunderlich or Brouillard’s work so that you will miss the whimsy of one of my favorite works on the show, the Train Bandit Box by Peter Jadoonath, a native of Minnesota. Kind of underglaze colored pottery that delights you on all levels. As Jadoonath pointed out in his artist statement, "I focus on making cartoon cans and cartoon cans."

The large red pottery of William Brouillard, a native of Wisconsin, has an enamel glaze oxidized with CO4, far more than the sum of these parts. His attention to detail on both sides of the platter reveals strong interest and multi-layered meaning in his steampunk buddha and the wizard of Oz-inspired technical mythology. Take time to participate in these colorful and thought-provoking stories he tells.

All the artists in this exhibition, including those already mentioned, as well as Rickie Barnett, Joe Bova, Lynne Hobaica, Kirk Lyttle, Tilla Rodemann, and Rimas VisGirda have brought beautiful stories and works, all of which are included in The Rodmaker, an exhibition catalog designed by Parkland’s Treasure of Genius Gabrielle, is sold at the Giltz Gallery. Berti’s curatorial article pointed out that some of the “sculptors and vessel makers in the exhibition include animated figures drawn or drawn on surfaces in flat or three-dimensional form, while others create purely sculptural forms. All are expressive. The earthly use of clay media and rich glazes or finished ceramic surfaces resonate with their works.” One of the smaller expressive works, Rimas Visgirda’s "Seriously Blonde", invites the viewer to get close to this piece Impurity porcelain, hand-rolled tiles, wax inlays, glazes, decals, overglazes, gloss, golden luster, slab tiles. All 15 x 10 inch Visgirda imaginative tiles burst out, emphasizing "the culture of my life" , The machine age, the urban environment, the media... and fashion and fashion."

I know I say this in almost every exhibition I have had the honor to report for "Polite Smile", but the artistic talent and ingenuity of Champagne-Urbana provides this community with a wealth of creativity and connection. Chris Berti agreed and added that every piece on the show has a distinct "style...humor, sophistication and emotion". The talents of this community are also a rich combination of interesting design and more serious basic work. 

Living World in Clay: 2021 Art Ceramics Biennale curated by Chris Berti, Parkland College's Giertz Gallery 2400 W Bradley Ave., Chamapign October 25th to February 5th, 2022 Gallery Hours: MW, 10 am 5:00 pm; Thursday, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm; Saturday, noon-2:00 pm

The Art Department is dedicated to celebrating the rich and vibrant art scene in our community, from drama to local writers, films, performing arts, and everything in between.