Elsa Simon
biography |
portfolio | artists listing
b. 1924, Budapest, Hungary
SELECTED COLLECTIONS
City of Beverly Hills, CA
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2009 Hot Tea!, del Mano Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2006 Orton International Cone Box Exhibition, Baker, KS
2005 Girardot National Juried Exhibition, Cape Girardeau, MO
2004 30 Southern California Artists, Riverside College, Riverside, CA
Hot Tea!, del Mano Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2002 Salzbrand Sixth International Competition, Koblenz, Germany
50 Southern California Ceramists, Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, CA
2001 14th National Juried Competition, Purchase Award, South Cobb Alliance, Mableton, GA
ANA 30, Holter Museum of Art, Helena, MT
California Clay Competition, Davis, CA
2000 Beverly Hills Affaire in the Garden, Award, Beverly Hills, CA
1999 Hot Tea!, del Mano Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
ANA 28, Holter Museum of Art, Helena, MT
Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, CA
1998 Awareness: A Celebration of Jewish Artists, Finegood Gallery, Woodland Hills, CA
1997-98 Beverly Hills Affaire in the Garden, Awards, Beverly Hills, CA
1990-98 Annual Art Exhibition, California State University, Northridge, CA
1997 Sparked by Fire, Award, Irvine Fine Arts, Irvine, CA
American Ceramics Society Exhibition, Burbank, CA
1996 International Orton Cone Box Competition, Purchase Award, Baker University, Baker, KS
Over 60 Program, California State University, Northridge, CA
1995 Clay IV, San Diego Potters Guild Competition, La Jolla, CA
1992-95 California Collegiate Ceramics Show, National Competition, Riverside, CA
1993 Southern California Competition, American Ceramics Society, La Jolla, CA
1980-88 Annual Group Exhibition, Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
My first class at New York University sparked my desire to search for an artistic outlet that would allow me to express myself. However, this was set aside due to the necessities of raising a family. Once my family was grown, and I retired from the business world, I returned to school to earnestly pursue an education in art.
I explored many mediums. But, when I took a class in ceramics and put my hands on the clay, I knew it was love at first touch. The love affair has continued. Explorations in various construction techniques and finishes eventually led to my involvement with saggar firing.
The clean lines of my sculptures provide an unimposing canvas onto which the patterns of the saggar firing are presented. Just as the complex patterns yielded by the saggar firing engage the observer, the form must be an expression of the aesthetic. I believe the form must push beyond symmetry. To create new forms that achieve a break in symmetry, while maintaining clean flowing lines, remains an ongoing goal.
Orchestrating the results of the saggar firing continues to be my biggest challenge. Although certain factors allow for some control, the results are unpredictable. I always experience great anticipation and excitement waiting for the outcome. It is my desire to create something of beauty
SELECTED COLLECTIONS
City of Beverly Hills, CA
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2009 Hot Tea!, del Mano Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2006 Orton International Cone Box Exhibition, Baker, KS
2005 Girardot National Juried Exhibition, Cape Girardeau, MO
2004 30 Southern California Artists, Riverside College, Riverside, CA
Hot Tea!, del Mano Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2002 Salzbrand Sixth International Competition, Koblenz, Germany
50 Southern California Ceramists, Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, CA
2001 14th National Juried Competition, Purchase Award, South Cobb Alliance, Mableton, GA
ANA 30, Holter Museum of Art, Helena, MT
California Clay Competition, Davis, CA
2000 Beverly Hills Affaire in the Garden, Award, Beverly Hills, CA
1999 Hot Tea!, del Mano Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
ANA 28, Holter Museum of Art, Helena, MT
Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, CA
1998 Awareness: A Celebration of Jewish Artists, Finegood Gallery, Woodland Hills, CA
1997-98 Beverly Hills Affaire in the Garden, Awards, Beverly Hills, CA
1990-98 Annual Art Exhibition, California State University, Northridge, CA
1997 Sparked by Fire, Award, Irvine Fine Arts, Irvine, CA
American Ceramics Society Exhibition, Burbank, CA
1996 International Orton Cone Box Competition, Purchase Award, Baker University, Baker, KS
Over 60 Program, California State University, Northridge, CA
1995 Clay IV, San Diego Potters Guild Competition, La Jolla, CA
1992-95 California Collegiate Ceramics Show, National Competition, Riverside, CA
1993 Southern California Competition, American Ceramics Society, La Jolla, CA
1980-88 Annual Group Exhibition, Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
My first class at New York University sparked my desire to search for an artistic outlet that would allow me to express myself. However, this was set aside due to the necessities of raising a family. Once my family was grown, and I retired from the business world, I returned to school to earnestly pursue an education in art.
I explored many mediums. But, when I took a class in ceramics and put my hands on the clay, I knew it was love at first touch. The love affair has continued. Explorations in various construction techniques and finishes eventually led to my involvement with saggar firing.
The clean lines of my sculptures provide an unimposing canvas onto which the patterns of the saggar firing are presented. Just as the complex patterns yielded by the saggar firing engage the observer, the form must be an expression of the aesthetic. I believe the form must push beyond symmetry. To create new forms that achieve a break in symmetry, while maintaining clean flowing lines, remains an ongoing goal.
Orchestrating the results of the saggar firing continues to be my biggest challenge. Although certain factors allow for some control, the results are unpredictable. I always experience great anticipation and excitement waiting for the outcome. It is my desire to create something of beauty