| For more information about this article or gallery, please call the gallery phone number listed in the last line of the article, "For more info..." |
February Issue
2008
RedSky Gallery in Charlotte, NC, Features Works by Ben Owen III
RedSky
Gallery in Charlotte, NC, will present an exhibition by fourth
generation Seagrove, NC potter Ben Owen III, on view from Feb.
8 through Mar. 5, 2008.
Today, Ben III owns and operates Ben Owen Pottery, the business founded by his grandfather in 1959 and reopened by his father in 1981. His wares are sold to local and international collectors.
Ben III often reflects, "Each pot is a model for the next," as his work evolves into new shapes and surface treatments. Yet, even his latest creations are strongly reminiscent of the works made by his forefathers long ago. Ben's grandfather was the second known potter at Jugtown Pottery in 1923. He developed his craft in an environment open to research and creativity. His early pots were influenced from diverse cultures creating new hybrids of shapes and colors deriving from China, Japan, Korea, as well as early American pots that were still used for functional purposes.
Young Ben worked with his grandfather through high school and continued his ceramic studies in college. It was evident that Ben Sr.'s creativity had been passed on to his grandson. While at East Carolina University, research in form and color began to influence his unique and evolving style as a potter.
Many shapes and colors created by Ben Sr. are still being produced today by Ben III. The Asian influence is very strong in young Ben's work, as it was in Ben Sr.'s. In the summer of 1995, Ben III traveled to Japan to be part of a ceramic workshop in Tokoname.
Ben's father, Ben Wade Owen Jr., developed a Chinese Red glaze after much request for a red finish on their pottery. It has become one of young Ben's signature glazes over the past 22 years. Chinese Red is made for special kiln openings that occur about three times a year. The red glaze is reminiscent of the old Chinese red over-glazes used in the 16th century.
Ben has recently been featured in several publications including Our State, Smithsonian, and Travel Holiday Magazine. Ben III has also helped bring attention to the Seagrove area by appearing on Good Morning America and exhibiting his work in several galleries in North Carolina and surrounding states. He has been a member of the board of directors of the North Carolina Pottery Center, located in Seagrove, for the past several years.
For further information check our NC Commercial
Gallery listings, call the gallery at 704/377-6400 or visit (www.redskygallery.com).
Carolina Arts is published monthly by Shoestring Publishing Company, a subsidiary of PSMG, Inc. Copyright© 2008 by PSMG, Inc., which published Charleston Arts from July 1987 - Dec. 1994 and South Carolina Arts from Jan. 1995 - Dec. 1996. It also publishes Carolina Arts Online, Copyright© 2008 by PSMG, Inc. All rights reserved by PSMG, Inc. or by the authors of articles. Reproduction or use without written permission is strictly prohibited. Carolina Arts is available throughout North & South Carolina.