To Be Human

To Be Human is on view at the Northern Clay Center in Minneapolis through November 1, curated by Kelly Connole. It's a group show that takes its title from the human condition, built around the idea that clay remembers every touch: the imprint of fingers, the weight of emotion, and the passage of time. If you've spent any time around a wheel or a slab, that's a feeling you recognize—the way a piece holds onto exactly how it was handled.

It's not the only thing in the Main Gallery right now. It's hanging alongside The Joy and Sorrow of Imagining by Adam Chau, whose work blends traditional studio ceramics with industrial design. He uses 3D modeling and digital manufacturing alongside blue-and-white porcelain aesthetics to bring tradition into the 21st century. The two shows sit together in the same space, so you can move between them in one visit.

Rounding things out is artist and educator Kensuke Yamada, who brings an artist talk and a live demonstration to the mix. He draws on his Japanese heritage to combine contemporary imagery with elements of Japanese folklore, and seeing him work in person is a good way to see the process behind the finished pieces.

If you want to hear more about the curation, there's a Curator Talk and Virtual Panel on Wednesday, October 21, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. The exhibition runs from September 19 through November 1 at the Northern Clay Center's Main Gallery in Minneapolis.