Because You Asked!

In one of my previous posts I mentioned a local gallery show with a teapot theme. I had a few emails and phone calls asking what it was like.

The following photos are from a recent show at the Asif Studio in Grass Valley, CA. The artists featured here collaborate, combining various genre, all relating to the teapot. The artists vary not only in medium but also in age and degree of professional experience. Some have been exhibiting their work for many years. For some, this is the first time they have shared their work publicly.

All of them use the teapot for creative inspiration in this show, “Art of Tea”.

One of the most unusual pieces was a charcoal painting titled, “The Spirit of Tea” by John Hoft.

Below it are several ceramic forms by various artists.

The most difficult image to photograph was an outline of a teapot on the wall of one of the hallways. This teapot is made out of teabags fastened directly to the wall.

In the category of whimsy is a mosaic teabag - complete with staple and tag.

Whimsy was brewed in several pieces - like this fish teapot with matching cups.

These are just a few of the more traditional ceramic entries.

Shelves displayed nearly a hundred pieces in various mediums. The teapot on the left side of the top shelf is made of wood.

And the papers displayed on the side wall are tea poems.

But, with one final set of images, you can see what I mean about the diversity of exhibiting artists.

You can find shows like this in may small galleries, especially colleges and universities with art programs. I encourage tea lovers to seek out these events.

It’s especially nice to go with the question: What is it about tea?

As I was giving a short tea talk, someone in the audience asked it for me. To my delight a spontaneous discussion followed. I could close my part of the presentation with a simple, “I’ve been asking myself that for a long time.”

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