RIFF is the title of the current show at the Gallery of BC Ceramics. It is another in a series which pairs two artists, one of whom has been making work in clay for a number of years with another who is right at the beginning of her career. In this case the artists are Jackie Frioud and Sam Knopp, both of whom are well-known for their functional wheel-thrown ware.

Jackie has been concentrating on wheel-throwing all sorts of practical pots for cooking, serving, eating and drinking and fires them in her salt kiln. Every time I come across her work I find that she has dreamed up another form to add to her repertoire, and of course I’m most attracted to their lovely salty finish.

Sam is a recent graduate of ECUAD and I haven’t seen much of her work before. I gather she spent a couple of months at Medalta where she pushed the ideas of contrasting surfaces and glazes, and the idea of laminating layers. Some very simple square plates are fascinating just because there’s a surprising glazed circle underneath, layers of speckled and black clay and pleasing but simple glazes on top. I am intrigued by her unique spoons, presented on a tiny matching plate.

I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get to the opening as several pieces that caught my eye are already purchased. The number of red dots next to both artists’ work is impressive. I told both artists, who were at last night’s ‘Contemporary Ceramics Collective’ Inaugural meeting, that I felt that their two-person show was a fine example of how the opportunity can benefit them both, and us! Their work, although quite different, addresses the same niche in functional ware. It seems they made a real effort to show similar items such as the spoons, cups and somewhat ceremonial dishes. The colours worked well together and we all agreed that the pricing was realistic and has allowed for regular folk to own work by two fine makers.

Jackie has just returned from a happy weekend as a guest at the very popular ‘Fired Up’ pottery sale at Metchosin on Vancouver Island. And Sam starts work as ceramic technician at Kwantlen College, Surrey this Fall. I know she will be a huge asset to the Ceramics Department there.

Here are some photos I took of the show yesterday. Try to get in to see it, but if you can’t this will give you an idea of work by Jackie and Sam.