NEW ARTIST EDITION
We are pleased to debut on the occasion of the show a special new Risograph artist edition designed by Ayesh Kanani and produced by Possible Worlds. Edition of 50 and available for purchase.
ARTIST TALK
Ground Truths
Ayesh Kanani
Exhibition: June 18 to July 25, 2021 (extended!)
Online artist walkthrough: Sunday June 27, 2021, 5:30 PM EDT
SHOW DESCRIPTION
Possible Worlds is pleased to present Ground Truths, an exhibition by emerging Canadian ceramic artist Ayesh Kanani.
Ground Truths is Kanani’s first solo exhibition exploring an ongoing project to build a visual language for new possibilities of interconnection and belonging. Kanani uses clay and utilitarian forms as a foundation to create a collection that is tactile and enduring. The balanced geometric nature of the forms along with their emerald tones reference influences and studies into South Asian and Islamic art, ceramics, and architecture. Each form is wheel thrown and individually hand altered exploring material transformation and structured surfaces. Kanani evokes a sense of grounding in their work through their repeated process of shaping highly structured vessels. The collection is a reflection of ongoing transformations and possibilities with clay. Kanani explores themes of preservation and valuing interconnection to bring about a better future.
ARTIST STATEMENT
As a self-taught artist, I get to focus on learning from clay itself as a malleable medium, while also studying traditional practices and contemporary techniques for shaping forms. I have observed how clay material demonstrates endless pathways for ongoing transformation and change. I’m interested in this process of interchange, resistance, and cohesion. As a queer person of colour my life is shaped by histories of fighting for rights and ongoing movements for change that allow me to be here today and to keep moving forward. I want to believe that change is possible and that our interconnected realities give us power and strength. I wanted to create work that instills a sense of value: Valuing people and our surroundings and valuing life over capital. The vessels I create are grounded in clay’s lasting materiality, responsiveness, and transformative qualities.
ARTIST-LED WORKSHOP
Participants joined Ayesh Kanani and Possible Worlds on Tuesday May 25 for an online artist-led workshop on Clay at Home.
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Ayesh Kanani has a growing a personal practice that allows them to study materials, explore important histories, and be a part of creating new possibilities with clay. They are passionate about building a clay practice that is slow and intentional and grounded in building better access. Their work is informed by their lived experiences as a queer person of colour and their work background in LGBTQ+ advocacy work and disability arts. They have been learning through open studio practice, taking classes, exploring mentorship, and developing new work. Over the years they have been growing their skills and taking on bigger projects. Ayesh’s practice is currently based at the Gladstone Clayworks Cooperative Studio in Ottawa, Algonquin Anishinaabe Territory.
> ARTIST WEBSITE
> ARTIST INSTAGRAM
We would like to acknowledge funding support from the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario.
