"Polaris"

20" x 10" footed sushi platter

Comments from David Cohen, Executive Director of Portland's Contemporary Crafts Museum and Gallery. Mr. Cohen was one of the panel of five jurors for the e-merge competition.

I was particularly drawn to more subtle colors and pieces with a limited palette. I was less interested in depictions of reality than in more abstract works. I enjoyed pieces that combined complicated techniques with a simple solution. When one artist submitted multiple pieces, I liked to see consistency, whether the common characteristic was quality, idea, or form. I also responded to pieces that were compositionally strong.

I was particularly struck by the range of imagery and mastery of technique in the works included in the final exhibition. while it was difficult to single out any one artist, I was most intrigued by Steve Immerman's clean form and patterning.

From the 2004 e-merge Exhibition Catalog, WG@BE3 2004 Showcase of Rising Talents in Kiln-Glass. This beautiful catalogue of the exhibition is available from The Bullseye Connection Resource Center.