Crowdfunding: Haystack and more!
Hello! I am Soe Yu Nwe, an artist from Myanmar and currently an invited artist at Jingdezhen International Studio in China. I have been awarded the 2017 Artaxis Fellowship, which includes the opportunity to attend a 2 week ceramic art workshop at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Maine, at no cost. However, due to my oversea travel to participate from Yangon, Myanmar, I am asking for your kindness and generosity to help with the travel cost for the workshop and two other upcoming international residencies this month!
What is this for?
Upon returning to Myanmar and researching Myanmar contemporary art scene, I found that it is very rare to find a Myanmar artist whose work is primarily ceramic sculptures. I want to maintain my artistic identity and extend my understanding of clay by participating in Haystack Ceramic Workshop to further my understanding of the material.
At Haystack, I will create a body of work that comprises of 5-10 pieces of small sculptures that I will ship back to Myanmar. I will be learning from a renowned artist, Ann Agee whose work I admired. I knew about Ann Agee’s work through lecture when I was a graduate student at RISD and I am truly excited to work with her again! After participating in the workshop at Haystack, I intend to share my experience and finished work through a lecture and one day workshop at Myanm/art in my hometown, Yangon.
By sharing and contributing to the campaign you will allow me to be fully immersed in the learning and creating environment at Haystack. Your contributions will help support my studio practice and my career as an emerging artist!
In addition to Haystack I am crowdfunding for three other oversea opportunities. They are:
Residency at Studio 740 with Beth Cavener and Alessandro Gallo, Helena, MT, USA
Residency in Shangyu Celadon Modern International Ceramic Art Center, Zhejiang, China
Residency in Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute, Jingdezhen, China
The PERKS!
Besides my many thanks, you will receive one of a kind perks made especially for this campaign all the way from Jingdezhen!
This is a great opportunity for you to get your hands on some of my newest work created after I have left the USA, coming back to Myanmar and living in China for the first time, and therefore a mix of cultural flavors from different countries! Inspiration range from imageries from Southeast Asian mythical creatures, Myanmar kindergarten textbooks, ancient Myanmar design, uniquely Chinese images from Buddhism and Chinese Literature and recently Shunga!
If you contribute in the next two weeks, you can personalize your perks while I have my studio in Jingdezhen! After the campaign has concluded, I will send an email to each contributor asking for their preference of perks. Each perk will also include a newsletter keeping you updated on my participation at Haystack and other international residencies!
Please inquire about shipping.
Please email me at snwe@alumni.risd.edu if you decide to contribute.
I accept payment via PayPal or Venmo!
$35 Handmade Porcelain Earrings
$60 Small Jewelry created with Jingdezhen material
$150 Small Porcelain Plate 6” diameter (or) 6” x 6” Porcelain Tile
$350 Porcelain Vase 6” (or) 10.5” Porcelain Round Tile
$500 Porcelain Vase 9” (or) 13” x 13” Porcelain Tile (or)
12” diameter Round Tile
$1,000 13" x 13” Painted Porcelain Tile + Porcelain Vase 13”
(or) 16" x 24 " Tile
(accept commission on design until end of April, 2017)
$2,500 Ceramic Sculpture (or) Commission work
Here are some pictures of perks in progress! More pictures of perks coming!
Different types of vases are available for my design as well. Contribute while I can customize your perks!
What is Haystack and why is it important for me to be there?
Haystack Mountain School of Crafts is an international craft school located on the Atlantic Ocean in Deer Isle, Maine. The greatest advantage to being at Haystack is its intensive studio-based workshops in a variety of craft media. The unique experience to be found at Haystack is owed to the combination of internationally-renowned instructors, intensive and focused studio time and diverse student body. The beautiful natural landscape of Maine will also definitely be an inspiration for my artistic work due to my love for nature! Your contribution will go towards travel expense, material and shipping expense after the workshop.
http://www.haystack-mtn.org
What is Studio 740 and why is it important for me to be there?
Studio 740 is a unique artists’ studio and creative think tank founded by contemporary ceramic artists Beth Cavener, Alessandro Gallo, Noah Riedel, Giselle Hicks, and Chris Riccardo. I met Beth Cavener during my graduate studies at RISD and since then she has been an inspiration! Working along with Beth and other artists in the studio will help me improve my work artistically and technically. Beth is a master at creating large scale sculpture and I can't wait to learn more from her! Another advantage of this residency is being a part of Helena’s ceramic community and its proximity to renowned Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts and therefore a fantastic place to be in the US as a ceramic artist! Your contribution will go towards Studio rent, material and firing fees, housing and travel expense.
https://www.facebook.com/Studio740/
What is Shangyu Celadon and why is it important for me to be there?
Shangyu Celadon Modern International Ceramic Art Center is a nonprofit academic institution co-established by Shangyu District People’s Government of Shaoxing, Zhejiang and Academy of Art and Design of Tsinghua University. The Center is directed by the famous artist Mr. Bai Ming. This is another opportunity for me to re-connect with my Chinese root through ceramics. I plan to continue my exploration from residency at Jingdezhen here. I am provided with the accommodation, food and material but no support for travel expense. Your contribution will help me come back to China again!
www.shangyuceladon.com
Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute
Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute is the only higher education institute in China dedicated to the study of ceramic arts. The school’s International Study department has recently establish a residency program to encourage exchange among foreign artists and the school’s program. The details of their accommodation for me is pending.
Other Ways You Can Help
Even if you aren't able to contribute financially, you can still help. Share this campaign with your friends, neighbors, and complete strangers!
Thank You!
Thank you to the Artaxis board members, Haystack School of Crafts, Studio 740 and Shangyu Celadon Center for these amazing opportunity. Thank you to all of my contributors for your support!
For a better understanding of my work, recent and upcoming events, feel free to check out my website at www.soeyunwe.com
