"Function Conjunction," the exhibit title, put emphasis on the utilitarian aspect of pottery. I suspect the reason Jon asked me to join this particular exhibit was because he knew about my using pottery for my cactus/succulent collection, and I wasn’t about to refuse the offer. After all, what "pothead" would pass up the opportunity to be able to exhibit alongside some of the greatest names in Philippine pottery?
I figured that I wasn’t about to change the way I do pottery either. Each piece had to be able to stand on its own, but I would complement each design with a succulent from my collection. And so to work I went, producing more than 20 pieces that were all exhibited (save for one which broke during Milenyo’s wrath) and to which I added three already existing pieces. The plants were chosen according to what best fit each work. And apparently my ideas worked…I sold nearly half on opening night! The exhibit closed last Oct. 11, but I will forever remember the excitement of that first evening.
This article is probably only the first or second time that I am able to combine all three of my passions: pottery, succulents and photography. I hope you enjoy looking at the pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them and making the pottery. Many thanks to Jon, Ugu, Jaime, Pete Cortes, Adee Mendoza, Lope Bosaing and Pablo Capati for their encouragement and inspiration.
E-mail Succulentophile at succulentophile@yahoo.com.