Lawson Oyekan

Lawson Oyekan (born in London, England 1961), is a contemporary ceramic sculptor and the first recipient of the Grand Prix Award for the 1st World Ceramic Biennale 2001 in Korea.

Overview

Lawson Oyekan was born in 1961 in England and grew up in Nigeria, West Africa, returning to England in 1983 to study art. Initially learning the practice of throwing with porcelain, Oyekan created diaphragm-like artworks with a lifted center. He then moved on to making hand built larger, monolithic forms. Both of these constructions include his experiences as a Londoner, as well as an African. His pieces are adorned with piercings and sometimes include text in English or his native language, Yoruba. There is a presence in Oyekan’s forms that speak of his experiences and his upbringing. “My intent is to express human endurance and deliver a message of reassurance: that human suffering can be healed.” [ Ceramics Today. “Lawson Oyekan, Winner of the Grand Prix Award for the 1st World Ceramic Biennale 2001 Korea. Can be found at http://www.ceramicstoday.com/articles/062501.htm ]

Beginning his studies in Nigeria with applied Chemistry, Lawson then returned to England in 1983 to pursue art. First studying at Central Saint Martins in 1985 on a degree course, he then went on to study at the Royal College of Art in London from 1988-1990. During his studies he received the Darwin Scholarship Award in 1989, and is most notable for receiving the Grand Prix Award in the 2001 Korean Biennale for his piece “Healing Being,” from his Coming up for Air series. As a contemporary sculptor currently making work, he shows and exhibits work all over the world in Europe, Korea, Japan, and the United States.

Work description and Style

One of Oyekan's best-known works is the “Healing Being” piece from his Coming Up for Air series. This piece is a monolithic, terracotta sculpture, closed, measuring 6 feet and 7 inches in height. Lawson’s work is characterized by surfaces often left dry and unglazed, while other works include a variety of colored slip. A recent exhibition in Minnesota in 2006, Solstice Lip Series, includes a combination of thick ceramic vessels including a variety of perforations and earthenware monoliths. The passage of light as well as the ability for the pieces to “breath” is a concern in portraying a life in his work through these vessels.

The development of Lawson’s work comes from his training in England in porcelain wheel throwing to the development of his own techniques through hand building, providing his experiences that come from these two locations and lifestyles. Currently Lawson is living in London, England while also working in a studio in Denmark. He also has plans to open a studio in Nigeria in combination with an education facility.

External links

[http://www.northernclaycenter.org/see/past_exhibitions/2006.php] Lawson Oyekan, at Northern Clay in 2006

[http://www.northernclaycenter.org/see/past_exhibitions/2006.php] Lawson Oyekan and The Spirit of Nature. Residency with Maryland Institute

[http://www.mica.edu/lawson_oyekan/" http://www.mica.edu/lawson_oyekan/] Coming Up for Air Series, description by Lawson Oyekan

[http://www.art-plus.de/english/html/oyekan.htm] [http://www.art-plus.de/english/html/oyekan.htm] Oyekan Profile

[http://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/Exhib/mixedbelongings/artists/makers.html] Profile

[http://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/Exhib/mixedbelongings/artists/makers.html] Discussion on the Grand Prix Award from 2001, Ceramics Today

[http://www.ceramicstoday.com/articles/062501.htm] , [http://www.ceramicstoday.com/articles/062501.htm] Ceramics Today. “Lawson Oyekan,

[http://www.ceramicstoday.com/articles/062501.htm] Winner of the Grand Prix Award for the 1st World Ceramic Biennale 2001 Korea.

Pamela Johnson, “Dimensions of Light,” The Decorative and Applied Arts Magazine, CRAFT. January/February 1994. Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, Maryland. “Lawson Oyekan, and the Spirit of Nature” 2005. February 3 to March 20, page 7. Collection book, as well as online website.

[http://www.mica.edu/lawson_oyekan] Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, Maryland.

“Lawson Oyekan, and the Spirit of Nature” 2005. February 3 to March 20, p.7. Collection book, as well as online website. [http://www.mica.edu/lawson_oyekan]

Alison Britton. “The Human Presence in Clay.” Ceramic Review Number 156, November/December 1995.

Pamela Johnson. “Dimensions of Light,” The Decorative and Applied Arts Magazine, CRAFT. January/February 1994.

Ulysses Grant Dietz, Great Pots Contemporary Ceramics from Function to Fantasy. The Neward Museum Association 2003 p.171, figure 152, and p.169.

Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, Maryland. “Lawson Oyekan, and the Spirit of Nature” 2005. February 3 to March 20, p.6.

Pamela Johnson. “Dimensions of Light,” The Decorative and Applied Arts Magazine, CRAFT. January/February 1994.

Pamela Johnson. “Dimensions of Light,” The Decorative and Applied Arts Magazine, CRAFT. January/February 1994.

Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, Maryland. “Lawson Oyekan, and the Spirit of Nature” 2005. February 3 to March 20, p.7. Collection book, as well as online website.

[http://www.mica.edu/lawson_oyekan] Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, Maryland.

“Lawson Oyekan, and the Spirit of Nature” 2005. February 3 to March 20. online [http://www.mica.edu/lawson_oyekan]

Lawson Oyekan. “Outside – Coming up for Air.” Online, [http://www.art-plus.de/english/html/oyekan.htm]

Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, Maryland. “Lawson Oyekan, and the Spirit of Nature” 2005. February 3 to March 20. online website [http://www.mica.edu/lawson_oyekan]

Crafts Council. Mixed Belongings – Makers. Lawson Oyekan, “Physics Series, Coming up for Air” 2000-2002. [http://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/Exhib/mixedbelongings/artists/makers.html]

Alison Britton. “The Human Presence in Clay.” Ceramic Review Number 156, November/December 1995.

Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, Maryland. “Lawson Oyekan, and the Spirit of Nature” 2005. February 3 to March 20, p.7. Collection book, as well as online website. [http://www.mica.edu/lawson_oyekan]

References