Renowned Ceramic Artist Yoko Sekino-Bové is BFSDoArt artist-in-residence in October

October 6, 2016

Meet Yoko Sekino-Bové at Conversations Over Tea on Oct. 17; Artist Talk Oct. 18

Yoko Seiko-Bové, “Hanafuda Sake Drinking Game Set” Mid-range porcelain, wheel-thrown, carving, Sgraffito, glaze painting, gold luste

Nationally respected potter, Yoko Sekino-Bové, will be an artist-in residence at the Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art from Oct. 3 – 21.  The public is invited to meet Sekino-Bové during Conversations Over Tea, a free event, on Monday, Oct. 17 from 2:30-5 p.m. at the Center for Art and Theatre at Georgia Southern University. The artist also will present a public lecture on Tuesday, Oct. 18 from 5-7 p.m. in Visual Art Building, Room 2071.

Sekino-Bové is a Japanese-American artist whose ornate ceramic artwork blends her Japanese upbringing with her experiences living and working in the United States. Her work has been exhibited in both commercial and educational galleries across the U.S. as well as South Korea, Canada, Turkey and the Dominican Republic.

“Yoko’s artwork creates dialogues that expand our understanding of art, culture and community by promoting a multicultural understanding of her Asian heritage with the American experience,” said ceramics professor Jeff Schmuki. “Particular stories in her work inevitably touch on all the humanities. A platter, vase or tea set might humorously illustrate easily relatable stories of past relationships, the struggle of meeting new friends, or the difficulty in communicating  in an unfamiliar language. No matter your background, each story is easily relatable.”  

Sekino-Bové will work alongside art students for three weeks, teaching and creating works in the studio. Her extended visit allows students an opportunity to advance, share and transfer skills and ideas under the guidance of another artist of national stature.

“Her visit will develop the imagination through multicultural and interdisciplinary art making while also providing an additional example of what is expected of a working artist in the field,” said Schmuki.

During Conversations Over Tea, guests will have an opportunity to see and use vessels created by advanced ceramics students under Sekino-Bové’s instruction. The experience aims to expand the audience’s notions of how art can be used to create discourse and civic action outside of traditional formats such as an art museum or gallery.

“Participatory and public performance underscoring the free exchange of stories and teach students that art like pottery and ceramics can be used to dispel social fears, caused by lack of understanding isolation and other abstract, faceless fears.” said Schmuki. “Teaching students that art is a powerful tool for social change is an extremely important lesson to share.”

Seiko-Bové’s visit is generously funded by the College Life Enrichment Committee and the Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art.

The Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art (BFSDoArt) is committed to offering quality undergraduate and graduate degree programs that prepare students to become professional artists, designers, art historians and industry leaders. The BFSDoArt is recognized as an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). For more information, visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu/art.

The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) is the largest of the eight colleges that make up Georgia Southern University, and it plays a central role in every student’s core of knowledge. CLASS, also described as the University’s College of the Creative Mind, prepares students to achieve academic excellence, develop their analytical skills, enhance their creativity and embrace their responsibilities as citizens of their communities, their nations and the world. CLASS offers more than 20 undergraduate degrees and several interdisciplinary minors from its 11 departments and five academic centers. CLASS offers eight master’s degrees, two graduate certificates and one doctoral degree.  For more information, visit class.georgiasouthern.edu.

Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers more than 125 degree programs serving more than 20,500 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education. GeorgiaSouthern.edu.