Ceramic Artist Fong Choo Visits, Lectures

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 22, 2007) − The University of Kentucky Department of Art will welcome ceramic artist Fong Choo to campus this Friday as its next artist/speaker in this year's Visiting Artists and Scholars Series. During his residence, Choo will visit and work with UK art students, faculty and staff, and address the public and art department majors at a free lecture scheduled for noon Friday, March 23, in Room 118 of the Whitehall Classroom Building.

Choo, a native of Singapore, earned his bachelor's degree in business at Warren Wilson College and his master's degree in ceramics at the University of Louisville. He has been a resident artist and adjunct faculty at Bellarmine University since 1990. His emphasis is tightly focused on miniature teapots, and his decade of work on these pieces shows his evolution in color, design and form.

Choo's work has been featured in various publications and group and solo shows across the U.S. at galleries like New York City's Aaron Faber Gallery and Philadelphia's Works Gallery.

Over the past 10 years, the artist has received numerous awards at such shows as the Smithsonian Craft Show, the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show and the American Craft Exposition. In 2006 alone, he earned Best in Show nods at the Peoria Fine Art Fair and the American Craft Exposition, as well as a first place award at the St. Louis Art Fair.

A recent article in the Chicago Tribune describes Choo as "a force, both professionally and personally," noting international recognition for the artist's miniature teapots reminiscent of the Yixing style of pottery dating to the 14th Century.

The Department of Art in the UK College of Fine Arts sponsors the Visiting Artists and Scholars Series, which brings nationally and internationally known artists to UK to lecture in weeklong residencies.

While at UK, Choo will visit with art students and faculty, participate in classes, as well as provide critiques to students. Choo's residency includes Friday's free public lecture, which will detail his life's work and conclude with a question and answer session following his presentation.