ART EXHIBIT: 'Fired Up! Ceramic Works by Julian Rodriguez' [Through Aug. 31]

With all the uncertainty in the world today, an exhibition of perfectly crafted ceramics using traditional forms by Julian Rodriguez is a soothing experience. The Historic Alonso Building in Brownsville is the venue for this collection of new pieces by Rodriguez. Beginning August 6, between 100 to 200 of his elegant ceramic works will be on display for exhibition and purchase.

With his own studio-gallery, ¡Mi Taller! in Mission, not quite ready for prime time, Rodriguez found himself with work ready to show, but no place to show it. That’s when Priscilla Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Brownsville Historical Association, stepped in and extended an invitation. “Fired Up” is about the ceramics as well as Rodriguez’ intense motivation to produce these beautiful and functional objects. The ceramic works on display are not only exquisitely crafted examples of the potter’s art, but many of them embody the conceptual merger of East-West. Locked into a love of Japanese and Chinese ceramic technical tradition, Rodriguez has combined this knowledge with his familiar, local way of life.

“My ceramics are a marriage of Japanese and Chinese cultures to the Hispanic culture,” explained Rodriguez. “Asian ceramic technique with Valley function - local flavor through function. I like to make things that will be used by the Hispanic culture like tortilla servers, tortilla warmers, and mocajetes.”

And this exhibit expresses that purpose boldly. We see exotic Asian glazes such as celadon and Shira gracing South Texas-inspired tableware. Rodriguez has pushed the envelope with high temperature firings reaching 2380 degrees, producing durable and unique objects. Overall, this exhibit consists of functional ceramic works geared toward the pragmatist who appreciates beauty. In addition to the aforementioned forms, there are tamale platters, jars, tall vases, many small bowls, and sixty – yes, sixty - mugs. About twelve luxurious platters boasting diameters between sixteen and twenty-four inches demonstrate this ceramist’s skill and artistic imagination.

Typical of his vases is a tall vase with a traditional Shira glaze. This glaze type was first developed in Japan around 1600. Shira glazes are often combined with ash for a grey spotted effect. On this vase, we see an orange glaze around the center of the piece, beneath a sprinkling of local Mesquite ash, creating a cultural synthesis within the glaze technique.

Although the May opening for ¡Mi Taller! Gallery has fallen behind schedule, the studio–gallery space is still planned. “But I still need to build the kiln,” confessed Rodriguez. “I have the bricks - I need metal. Putting the gas pipe in is going to be a lot of work. But I plan to see it through.”

In the meantime, ceramics lovers will have to visit Brownsville to see his work. Plan to attend the opening reception this coming Saturday.

Nancy Moyer, Professor Emerita of Art at UTPA, is an art critic for The Monitor. She may be reached at nmoyer@rgv.rr.com