Craig Clifford, an assistant professor of art at Mississippi Valley State University, recently was selected to participate in the International Competition at the fifth World Ceramic Biennale 2009 Korea (CEBIKO).
CEBIKO was initiated by the World Ceramic Exposition Foundation in 2001. Clifford explained that ceramic art has a long history in Asian countries, so there is really no equivalent event in the United States in terms of quality and size.
“It has a lot of prestige within the ceramic community,” Clifford said. “People from all over the world apply.”
Prior to the preliminary selection, 1,726 artists from 70 countries around the world submitted 3,196 pieces to be considered for the competition. These were narrowed down to 186 works, including Clifford’s piece, “Dead Ringer.”
During CEBIKO, which will be held from April 25 through June 21, participants in the International Competition will have their work on display at the Yeoju World Ceramic Living Ware Gallery in Icheon, South Korea. Out of these 186 pieces, 26 will be chosen as prize winners in the final selection.
The gallery is part of a large ceramic art complex in Icheon that hosts various shows and competitions year round. The complex includes several galleries, museums and educational centers.
Clifford also participated in the last CEBIKO event two years ago, where he received an honorable mention award. He went to Korea to attend the 2007 event, but said he would probably not go this year unless he is chosen as a winner.
Clifford, who is originally from California, came to MVSU about one year ago. He holds a bachelor’s degree in ceramics from California State University in Long Beach and a master’s degree in ceramics from Louisiana State University.
In addition to hosting lectures at many schools outside of MVSU, Clifford also participates in about six to eight exhibitions every year. He currently has work in an exhibit at the Oregon College of Art and Crafts in Portland, and he has shows coming up in Baltimore and Baton Rouge, La., later this year.
Clifford also will be serving as curator of a show in Phoenix during a ceramics conference in April.
Locally, he will have work on display in an upcoming MVSU faculty show, which will open Feb. 11 at the Walter Sillers Fine Arts building.
For more information about CEBIKO, visit www.wocef.com. For more information about Clifford and his work, visit www.craigcliffordceramics.com.
