Hadrian Mendoza

ceramic artist

Hadrian Mendoza, a stoneware Potter, works with a fearless and audacious search for unusual and indigenous forms, including expressionistic and abstract shapes. Mendoza was a graduate at Mary Washington College in Virginia and a former student at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington DC, where he was awarded the prestigious Anne and Arnold Abramson award for Excellence in Ceramics in 1996-1997.  He also organized the 1st Southeast Asian Ceramics Festival under the 2007-2009 Toyota Foundation Japan Grant. He curated the 2nd Southeast Asian Ceramics Conference and Exhibition in Fuping Pottery Art Village’s FLICAM International Ceramics Museum in China. 

In 1997 he searched for his roots and moved back to the Philippines, where he slowly metamorphosed into an individualistic and nationalistic artist with a keen and hungry eye for Southeast Asia’s indigenous forms. He has made deliberate attempts at achieving heavy cultural undertones for his works. In 2009, Hadrian moved to Virginia, USA with his family and is currently the art director at St. Thomas More Cathedral School. A humble craftsman, Mendoza serves at the feet of his own cultural dilemmas as an artist.

His works are permanent collections in museums in Cambodia,  China, Korea, Japan, and 3 renowned museums in the Philippines, which are The Metropolitan Museum Manila, The Ayala Museum, and BenCab Museum.

INTERSECTION

June 11, 2019  /  Hadrian Mendoza

| INVITATION | Opening Reception of Intersection : the latest solo exhibition of Filipino stoneware potter Hadrian Mendoza on Tuesday, 25 June 2019 at 6:30 PM
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Sentro Rizal Washington DC is pleased to invite you to a reception to formally open Intersection, the latest solo exhibition of internationally-renowned Filipino stoneware potter Hadrian Mendoza, on Tuesday, 25, June 2019, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, at the Philippine Chancery Annex Building. 
This event marks Mendoza’s 29th solo exhibition as he explores themes such as the intersection of cultures, materials, people and lines. Mendoza has lived in the Philippines and in the United States as his works reflect a common ground between both cultures.

Bloom, the main installation in the exhibition is composed of intersecting lines made of dirt and porcelain flowers. A figure pouring a watering can nurtures the growth of the budding flowers. This recreation of the bulol rice terrace god is an installation about the positive impact he has as a teacher tending to his students, which are represented by porcelain flowers. The lines made of dirt that intersect at several points represent cultures, ideas and people crossing paths. After being back and forth between the Philippines and the US, the artist also sees this installation as a map composed of roads that he has travelled.

Hadrian has also created a series of busts and large sculptures of heads. Some have 2 faces, one on each side having different emotions. In one particular piece titled Intersection, a face with orthodontic braces has lines embossed on the top of its head. These intersecting lines represent our thoughts and decisions, all crossing at different points. The emotion on its face shows tension, similar to the tension created by tightening one’s braces.

Dangerous Flower, a series of 12 bulbous forms depict the stages of a flower in bloom. The forms speak of the dichotomy between danger and beauty coexisting in one piece. Tusk-like porcelain protrusions grow from the bulbs in intricate spiral and circular designs. The series represents growth, which is evident in the transformation of the porcelain tusks.

Filipino themes are also explored in this collection with themes that include the Ifugao bulol rice terrace gods of the northern region in the Philippines. The bulol are believed to contain spirits that ensure abundant harvests and protection from natural catastrophe. The Manunggul jar also serves as inspiration for Mendoza. The Manunggul jar is a secondary burial jar that was found in the Tabon caves in Palawan. Mendoza’s interpretation of the jar is represented by a circle on a plinth with the boat and two figures on top. The exhibition also includes functional wares such as Ikebana jars, bowls, and tea sets.

The exhibition takes place at the Philippine Chancery Annex at 1617 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington DC 20036 from June 25 to July 25, 2019.

For more information about Hadrian Mendoza, please visit http://www.hadrianmendozapottery.com.

RSVP to the opening reception here: https://forms.gle/e4JJbecprijk8VLb6

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