| On View: | July 9–September 4, 2016 |
| Reception: | Saturday July 9, 2016 at 5PM |
The American Museum of Ceramic Art (AMOCA) is proud to present John Conrad: The Dichroic Effect. Combining the centuries-old technique of forming objects from clay and the very recent process of depositing metal on a vitreous surface, John Conrad has developed a first-ever application on porcelain that results in an unworldly, rich, brilliant rainbow of color that defies an adequate verbal description.
John Conrad moved to San Diego in the mid-1960s to be a professor of Fine Arts at San Diego Mesa College. During his tenure, he developed an extensive program in ceramics, creating one of the top programs in California. Conrad, who has an affinity for sculpture, started pushing boundaries years ago by doing the first experiments fusing glass on clay. He entered a doctoral program at the University of Pittsburgh in 1970 not knowing whether these fusion experiments were a viable endeavor. After hundreds of trials, he arrived at stunning sculptures that showcased the translucent qualities of glass fused over perforated windows in ceramic structures.
Conrad’s exhibition at AMOCA will be the first ever exhibition of porcelain ware that has been coated with a metallic plasma effect treatment. His professional efforts are marked with decades of tenacity, exploration, and experimentation. Through his writings, Conrad has provided new and valuable information, helping potters become successful and develop a better understanding of their craft.
