My personal point of view.

My name is Terrance and I am a Canadian ceramicist and I am a Sanbao Fellow and International Program Advisor.  That means that I am the first contact to anyone requesting information about the Sanbao residency and Summer School programs.  I also assist the director Jackson Li with various administrative duties.  The comments below are solely my opinion and may not reflect the official response.  I do not gain any remuneration for my efforts.

On behalf of the Sanbao team, I thank you for your interest in our program.  I will attempt to answer your questions in order that they appear.  First of all, my personal experience is on record at my website http://clayart.ca. "The Sanbao Experience".  I first went to Sanbao in 2003 and again in 2005.  The experience for me was most gratifying and of course it has influenced my work greatly.  I intend to return to Sanbao in 2008.

One of the important aspects of the Sanbao experience is that residents have the opportunity to work in an environment that allows them to dedicate as much time towards their body of work as they wish.  In addition they are offered numerous opportunities to visit the local ceramic factories, meet master ceramists and to visit the many ceramic studios throughout the area.  Sanbao also employs many traditional artisans such as folk potters, hand building experts, sculptors who can be found working within the resident studios.  These artisans are always ready to demonstrate their craft to the visiting artist. Residents are also offered numerous field trips.  Travels to other Chinese destinations are made easy through the assistance given by the Sanbao team.

Sanbao also introduces the residents to the many factories that will assist them in achieving their concepts.  For example, during my last trip to China I went to the large tile factory to paint a series of large tiles, (3 ft by 1.5ft.) I did not need to learn the technology necessary to make the tile.  The local crafts persons handled this task. I spent my time creating art.

Sanbao also sets and environment that allows a very divers cultural exchange with both National and International artists.  A resident becomes one with the Chinese culture and craft movements as they are invited; into local homes, to the National Universities, special cultural activities such as the Beijing Opera, local tea houses, restaurants, paper making studios, bamboo crafts demos, craft film festivals, contemporary music festivals and the Jingdezhen fall Ceramic Exhibition; the list goes on.  Residents are also invited to participate in the daily life of the locals such as the Moon festival, national holidays and the spring festivals.  Residents may find that during their time at Sanbao they will be working with well-established and world-renowned artists. They benefit greatly by seeing how they approach creativity. Sanbao also offers the resident the chance to work with other international artists who often become life long friends and colleagues.

Sanbao offers this opportunity in an ambiance that is comfortable and conducive to creative thinking.  Meals are prepared and served in a   professional manner, social activities are organized and rooms are comfortable. 

It is difficult for me to determine the benefits of this program to the Chinese artisans.  I believe that the benefits to the Chinese artisans are limited to meeting and discussion with foreign artists and watching how they work.  It is extremely difficult for Chinese Artisans to be able to travel to foreign countries, financially and administratively.  To get a visa to visit Canada, for example, is extremely difficult. The Chinese artists who are privileged to travel make contacts with the resident that may result in them being invited to give workshops at the foreign universities. Some financial benefits may accrue to the local artisans who are hired by Sanbao and the residents to give specialty workshops.  For example, Brush making, blue and white decoration, dry trimming, papermaking, calligraphy and more.

The aim of Sanbao is expose the international artist to the Chinese art, craft, foods and culture.  The direction wishes the resident to return home with a new perspective of the Chinese people and their daily life. They want them to gain new insights into the Chinese art themes and how they are attached to the history and myths of the country.  Sanbao wishes the International residents to experience both Chinese rural and urban lifestyles. The organization also want them to feel that they have gained a new family of friends and colleagues, who reside in China.

The Chinese Craft movement in China is strongly based upon historical and mythical cultural themes as well as being structured, following very strict traditional methods, strongly aligned towards craft perfection.  Chinese artisans have for thousands of years been experts at copying the work of others.  Much of this work was, however, created by the Chinese people themselves.  This being said, the craft movement in China today is undergoing rapid change.   Artist and artisan creations resemble more and more western themes and western form. The Chinese artisans are very adept at creating new ways of making art.  Bringing Chinese artisans to western countries would benefit these artisans much the same as us going to China. Chinese exchange artists and artisans would gain valuable exposure to western cultures and how we create craft. They would return home with a new way of looking at creating crafts.  

I personally feel that Sanbao is a ceramic art institute open to all art and craft disciplines.  Residents can benefit from the services of Sanbao by using it as a gateway into the Chinese art and craft world. Resident candidates are encouraged to propose projects that the wish to undertake.  Sanbao will Asses the project and determine if and how they can help the craftsperson and artist to achieve their goals.

If you wish to discuss this subject more feel free to call me at (450)443 0790 

Terrance Frank Lazaroff, CD, BFA
Sanbao Fellow and International Program Advisor
Canada

 

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