(from left) President of Lingnan University Professor Chan Yuk-Shee, Lingnan Artist-in-Residence Kevin White and Director of Visual Studies Programme Professor Mette Hjort at the exhibition opening.

 

British ceramicist Kevin White was recently at Lingnan University (the University) to show students how his work reflects his “keen respect for ceramic tradition and his unique and contemporary interpretation of his experiences”, said the University’s Visual Studies Programme Director Professor Mette Hjort. White has been the Visual Studies artist-in-residence for the fall term in 2009.

White was trained in the UK but went on to study ceramics in Kyoto in Japan in the late 1970s, and migrated to Australia in the mid 1980s. Thus his works reflect his sensibility of the Asian aesthetics, and his experience in the UK and Australia. White’s porcelain objects are alive with colours, patterns, birds and flowers. A ceramicist as much as a painter, White uses the grid as a device to heighten the beauty of his works.

White has previously held 13 solo exhibitions in Japan and Australia, in addition to over 50 group exhibitions around the world. His works are collected privately, and by museums in Australia, England and Japan.

Members of the public will be able to appreciate White’s works at his exhibition from 10 May to 12 June 2009 at the University’s library. The hours are: 

About Lingnan University Artist-in-Residence Programme
Visual Studies at Lingnan University is an interdisciplinary programme designed to equip students with the historical and conceptual tools that will allow them to analyse, understand and appreciate a wide range of visual phenomena. Started in 2006, the artist-in-residence programme helps to sharpen students’ understanding of artistic practices and their results through studio courses and interaction with artists. The programme brings one local, one non-local, one established, and one emerging artist to the Lingnan campus every year. These artists are with the programme for a full semester, and during this time they are actively engaged in producing art in the Visual Studies studio.

About Kevin White
Born in England, White studied Fine Art at Leeds Polytechnic. In the late 1970s to early 1980s, he worked for one year under the direction of the highly respected Japanese master ceramicist, Professor Yutaka Kondo at Kyoto City University of Fine Arts and then for more than three years in the studio of Satoshi Sato who is a member of the avant-garde ceramic group “Sodeisha”. He later obtained a Master of Arts degree at Royal College of Art, London and joined RMIT University after migrating to Australia with his family. White is currently an Associate Professor and Program Director of the School of Art, RMIT University.

White has held more than 13 solo exhibitions in Japan, London and Australia, including the ones held at Flinders Lane Gallery, Melbourne and Beaver Galleries, Canberra in 2006 and 2007 respectively. He has also participated in over 50 group exhibitions in Asia, Europe and US. His works are collected by major museums and galleries all over the world, among which are the National Gallery of Australia; National Gallery of Victoria; Powerhouse Museum, Sydney; Gifu Prefectural Ceramic Museum, Gifu, Japan; Art Gallery of Western Australia and Art Gallery of South Australia.