Functures: Functional Sculptures – Gillian McMillan

These three shows opened last Thursday at Port Moody Arts Centre. I was interested to see what Robert Shiozaki and Anya Gusakova had been making since they spoke to TriCity Potters last year ( there’s a link to my blog about that below).

l to r, Robert Shiozaki, Janice Cotter, Anya Gusakova

The main gallery was taken up almost completely with ceramic forms which the two artists have dubbed ‘Functures’, obviously a combination of functional forms and purely sculpture. Anya has contributed some lively paintings to complement her work. She is showing a big variety of forms, some of which are whimsical animal-like creatures and others could be vases and yet more could be figures.

Robert has made more of his slab-formed vases, with bold coloured designs on the sides. I think he has made the stacking forms but in some cases Anya has added her distinctive shapes to complete the ‘functure’.

In the corner/3D gallery Robert is showing his collaborative work – with wood artist Peter Chen and several of his pottery students. One happy participant is TriCity Potter Eva Erdos, attending the opening with her son Pat. My photo shows them with Eva’s pots.

Robert Shiozaki with a friend, and my friends Ysabella, Vasana and Brian

Woodworker Peter Chen with his fine wooden containers for Robert's cups — Woodworker Peter Chen with his fine wooden containers for Robert’s cups

Peter Chen and Robert Shiozaki with their special table/vase creation

As usual I took photos of the work that, for one reason or another, caught my attention. They’ll give you an idea of the unique work Anya and Robert are producing and will perhaps encourage you to visit the Port Moody Arts Centre galleries this month.