Artist Lecture and Opening Reception – Dirk Staschke: Nature Morte

• Saturday, April 9, 2016 Artist Lecture – 5 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Opening Reception and Artist Meet and Greet, Dirk Staschke – 5:00 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Exhibit runs April 9th to September 18th.

Pomona, CA –  The American Museum of Ceramic Art (AMOCA) is proud to present Dirk Staschke: Nature Morte, an exhibition of transgressive and lavish sculptures inspired by the unsettling and beautiful Flemish and Dutch Vanitas still-life paintings of the 16th and 17th centuries.  The exhibition runs from April 9 through September 18, 2016.

These works offer a stunning commentary on contemporary craving, overconsumption and excess. In his newer work, Staschke also asks us to consider what part medium plays in the value placed on art, and whether knowing the creative process adds to or diminishes its value. He states, “It is this modulation between the real and illusionistic that most interest me and ultimately makes my work about perception.”

Additionally on April 9, works by Southern California ceramic educators Randy Au and Naomi Kadinoff will be exhibited in the Artist’s Studio Gallery featuring live music in the Ceramics Studio from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Dirk Staschke earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from The University of Montevallo, Alabama and his Master of Fine Arts Degree from Alfred University, New York. His work has been shown internationally and is included in the permanent collections of the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Houston, TX; Icheon Museum, World Ceramic Center, Gwango-dong, South Korea.

AMOCA is a museum dedicated to telling the story of a single material – clay, one of the oldest materials in the world a fundamental part of everyone’s life. Clay, both in its natural form and when converted into ceramic form when fired-is a versatile, ancient medium that is still being explored and studied by today’s artists, scientists, and historians. AMOCA champions the art, history, creation and technology of clay and ceramics.

AMOCA has a permanent collection comprising over 7,000 objects and a research collection with over 750 objects that can be handled and studied. The Helen and Roger Porter Ceramics Research Library includes more than 4,200 publications. AMOCA also has a photography studio and an extensive Museum Store.

American Museum of Ceramic Art is located at 399 N. Garey Avenue, Pomona, CA  91767, http://www.amoca.org