Lawson Oyekan
Encyclopedia
Lawson Oyekan is a contemporary ceramic sculptor and the first recipient of the Grand Prix Award for the 1st World Ceramic Biennale 2001 in Korea
.
, West Africa, returning to England in 1983 to study art where he attended the art foundation course in East Ham. 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.”
Beginning his studies in Nigeria with applied Chemistry and later studied a diploma in general art at the polytechnic, Ibadan. 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 where he was lectured by the likes of Eduardo Paolozzi
. 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.
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.
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
.
Overview
Lawson Dokun Oyekan was born in 1961 in England and grew up in Ibadan, attended Loyola College , NigeriaNigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, West Africa, returning to England in 1983 to study art where he attended the art foundation course in East Ham. Initially learning the practice of throwing with porcelain
Porcelain
Porcelain is a ceramic material made by heating raw materials, generally including clay in the form of kaolin, in a kiln to temperatures between and...
, 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
Yoruba language
Yorùbá is a Niger–Congo language spoken in West Africa by approximately 20 million speakers. The native tongue of the Yoruba people, it is spoken, among other languages, in Nigeria, Benin, and Togo and in communities in other parts of Africa, Europe and the Americas...
. 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.”
Beginning his studies in Nigeria with applied Chemistry and later studied a diploma in general art at the polytechnic, Ibadan. 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
Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
in London from 1988-1990 where he was lectured by the likes of Eduardo Paolozzi
Eduardo Paolozzi
Sir Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi, KBE, RA , was a Scottish sculptor and artist. He was a major figure in the international art sphere, while, working on his own interpretation and vision of the world. Paolozzi investigated how we can fit into the modern world to resemble our fragmented civilization...
. 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
Porcelain
Porcelain is a ceramic material made by heating raw materials, generally including clay in the form of kaolin, in a kiln to temperatures between and...
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
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
. He also has plans to open a studio in Nigeria in combination with an education facility.
External links
- Lawson Oyekan, at Northern Clay in 2006
- Lawson Oyekan and The Spirit of Nature. Residency with Maryland Institute
- Coming Up for Air Series, description by Lawson Oyekan
- Oyekan Profile
- Profile
- Discussion on the Grand Prix Award from 2001, Ceramics Today
- Ceramics Today, Lawson Oyekan
- 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 Newark 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.
- 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.
- “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