TORONTO, CANADA

LOREN KAPLAN

No. 1

$397.00
Exhibition Submission Statement

I have developed an idiosyncratic philosophy toward the hand-crafted artifacts that I  make. I make vessels because containers are about potential. My sculpted and engraved containers are defined spaces of emptiness that can be filled with something, or nothing. The empty spaces are more than just empty voids, they are loaded with symbolism and suggestive of opportunity, potential and change.

Dimensions: 4"H x 4.25"W x 4.25"D

Material: Porcelain. Raw exterior with Mother-of-Pearl lustre on the interior

Artwork ships: beginning october 22nd

No. 1

Loren Kaplan, 2025
1

Artist Statement

In my work I have attempted to integrate symbolic, visual, tactile and spiritual values-blending form, function and meaning. My work resonates with light, sound, pattern and texture. My work includes one-off pieces that are created by coiling and hand-building as well as specialized ranges of thrown work: and the surface of the vessels are then carved, sculpted or engraved with intricate patterns and symbols that combine the geometric and organic. I have also made ranges of porcelain lighting created by piercing, slip-trailing and resisting intricate patterns through which the light resonates.

There are many diversities and extremes that I try and hold and balance within my life and work- the white porcelain and black basalt clay; the closed, lidded and the open form; the tiny and the large. Within them all, they hold the silence and meditation of the making, the time, the process and the attention to detail.

2

About the Artist

I have been a practicing professional ceramic artist and teacher since the mid 90’s in South Africa and moved to Toronto in 2013.

In 2005 I set upon my own as Loren Kaplan Ceramic Art and Design, focusing on growing my teaching studio and my ceramics: commissioned based work, one-off coiled pieces, specialized ranges, porcelain and stoneware lights highly patterned with slip-trail and drilled piercings, collaborative work and organic firings. My teaching focused on all forms of handwork including pinching, coiling, sculptural work, slab work, the relationship of form, function and design, a diverse range of techniques of surface detail, and decoration for all levels of experience.

I was a Co-Trainer, Facilitator, and mentor for Create Africa Trading on behalf of the South African Department of Arts and Culture on Product Development, Design, and Marketing Courses for artists and crafters.

I have participated in and have had many exhibitions showcasing my work.

My works have won ceramic competitions and I have a work, ‘The Bells of Forgiveness’ as a part of the South African Constitutional Court Art Collection.

Artist cv

LOREN KAPLAN

Education and Professional Experience

BA in Fine Arts (Photography), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa (1989)


Studied ceramics at the Kim Sacks School of Ceramics; worked full-time (1991–1995) creating one-off coiled and hand-built pieces


Established own teaching studio (1995) and continued making ceramics


Taught drawing and printmaking at the National School of the Arts (Grades 10–12) (1996)


Taught photography and drawing at the Visual Arts and Crafts Academy (VACA), an arts-education NGO (1996)


VACA leadership: Vice-Principal (1997–1999); Director (2002–2006)


Co-founded ceramic business with Anthony Shapiro: Loren & Ant Ceramic Designs; designed and manufactured specialized homeware ranges for local and international stores (2002–2005)



Exhibitions and Awards
1987 Martiensen Exhibition Annual student competition at the Gertrude Posel Gallery-Johannesburg

1988 Martiensen Exhibition-highly commended for photographic work

1991 Group exhibition of South African Fine Art photographers at the National Gallery of Namibia

1992 Group exhibition of Ceramics at the Kim Sacks Gallery-Johannesburg

1993 “Black and White in Craft”- Group exhibition at the Kim Sacks Gallery National Ceramic Biennale- won the First National Bank Award, 2nd prize in the Vessel Category

1995 Africus Biennale- Group exhibition of South African Ceramics entitled ‘Africa Earthed’ at Museum Africa- Johannsburg

1998 Vita Craft Award at the African Window- Johanneburg

1998 National Ceramics Biennale- Sandton Civic Gallery-Johannesburg

1998 Vita Craft Award at the Castle-Cape Town

1998 Participant of the South African exhibit at the World Trade Fair in London

1998 Beyond the Pale- Designer-maker exhibition-Johannesburg

1999 Beyond the Pale

2000 “Black and White in Craft”- Group exhibition at the Kim Sacks gallery

2005 Gallerie Galapagos- Group Exhibition-Johannesburg

2006 Design Indaba- Cape Town Convention Centre

2006 Rooms on View-South Africa House-Sandton Convention Centre-Johannesburg

2007 Design Indaba-Cape Town Convention Centre

2007 SHIFT-Joint Exhibition with Yda Walt-Amoeba Gallery-Johannesburg

2008 Design Indaba-Cape Town Convention Centre

2008 National Corobrik Ceramics Exhibition-University of Johannesburg Art Gallery

2008 Making Space: Solo Exhibition at Alliance Francaise-Johannesburg

2008 Oppitafel VIII An Exhibition of Ceramic Art and Lighting at Artspace-Johannesburg

2008 Soccerex Department of Arts and Culture Sandton Convention Centre-Johannesburg

2009 Design Indaba-Cape Town Convention Centre

2009 Oppitafel Babettes Feast at Artspace Gallery-Johannesburg

2010 Translations: Art into Jewellery- Standard Bank Gallery-Johannesburg

2010 Group Show, Ceramic Artists OBJEKT-Parktown-Johannesburg

2011 Southern Guild Design Exhibition-Edward Read Gallery-Johannesburg

2011 Group Ceramic Exhibition-Art in the Forest Gallery-Cape Town

2012 RESONATE- Solo Exhibition of Ceramic Bells-Mot Mot-Johannesburg

2014 Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition-Honorable Mention-Ceramics

2015 Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition
Fusion Show- Toronto

2016 Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition-Honorable Mention- Ceramics Fusion Show-Toronto
260 Fingers- Guest Artist- Ottowa Making Spaces- Group Exhibition- Peter McKendrick Gallery-Toronto

2017 Toronto Outdoor Art Show- Honorable Mention- Ceramics

2018 Selected artist for the Brain Project
Toronto Outdoor Art Show

2019 Toronto Outdoor Art Show

2021 Ash & Barrel-Henderson Brewery-Toronto

2022 Feature Presentation Exhibition-Gardiner Museum-Toronto

2023 Exhibitor with Vessels & Sticks- Artist Project- Toronto

2024 Exhibitor with Vessels & Sticks- Artist Project- Toronto

Collections
Constitutional Court of South Africa Art Collection: Bells of Forgiveness- A set of 6 Basalt Bells
hanging off a mild steel structure

Other works from the WHAT HOLDS Exhibition