Black Bean Ceramic Art Center presents: Raku Ceramic Canvases by Michael Gustavson

Michael’s work is very unique in that he uses the traditional process of raku and has expanded it by way of his own technique. The glazes he uses are textural and often appeal to ones senses causing the viewers to immediately want to touch the work. This comes as no surprise to Michael as he always emphasizes surface quality and texture.

The wall pieces are glaze paintings with fragmented edges giving it both negative and positive space. The vessels are thrown on the wheel and then hand stretched to create a sense of the human figure. Each vessel gives the appearance of a torso having no head but having the grace of a dancer…truly these works of art are exciting to touch, look at, and admire!

Exhibit on view through June 19, 2010

Michael Gustavson graduated from San Jose State University with a Master of Fine Arts in 1980. Since then he has been a professional artist. His works of art have been collected throughout the world. You will find his art pieces in major corporations such as; IBM, Kaiser Permanent, Seagate, Cranbrook University, Eastman Kodak, McDonald Corporation, and SAS Headquarters. On an individual level, private collectors from the west coast to the east coast have collected Michael’s work over the years, many returning to obtain new works.

Black Bean Ceramic Art Center
561 Emory St.
San Jose, Ca, 95117
(408) 642-5757
Hours: Monday – Saturday 11:00 – 6:00