Clemson University art professor awarded Fulbright-Hays grant

Published: May 19, 2011

Valerie Zimany image by: Clemson University

CLEMSON — The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Clemson University’s Valerie Zimany a Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad grant to be a visiting researcher at the Institute of Art and Design of Kanazawa College of Art in Kanazawa, Japan.

She received the grant for her proposal “Porcelain Fever: Contemporary Kutani Practitioners and Processes” for summer and fall 2011. During her stay at the Kanazawa College of Art — where she received her Master of Fine Arts degree as a Japanese Government Scholar in 2002 — Zimany will delve into the conventions of traditional Kutani polychrome porcelains and draw comparisons with their contemporary counterparts. 

“Kutani was developed in the 17^th century and was highly influenced by the bold outlines and striking color schemes pioneered by painters of the day," Zimany said. "Today, independent Kutani artists explore post-modern themes of identity and place, and commonalities can again be found with their contemporaries in painting in approach to pattern, narrative and imager.

“The research I conduct not only will inform my personal creative work, but through scholarly dissemination will allow me to direct critical attention to a long overlooked area of contemporary Japanese ceramics,” she said.

Zimany’s ceramic work, “Chigiri-e (Radio Gold),” will go with her to Japan. It has been selected for the 9^th International Ceramic Competition Mino, a prestigious exhibition featuring work selected from nearly 4,000 applicants globally, to be held in September 2011 at the International Ceramics Festival in Mino, Japan. 

A post-baccalaureate Fulbright Fellow at Kanazawa College of Art before attending graduate school, Zimany said she is thankful for the occasion to return under the Fulbright name once again. It also will present an opportunity for Zimany to continue Japan earthquake relief and assistance efforts she began as an artist donor participating in “Handmade for Japan,” a benefit auction that raised more than $75,000 in March. 

“My donation to the auction was a small gesture offered from afar,” said Zimany. “During my time in Kanazawa, I plan to travel to Mashiko, one of Japan’s most historic and pivotal ceramic cities and in the affected region, to volunteer with an organization helping local artists rebuild their studios and kilns damaged by the earthquake. My goal is to work with colleagues in Kanazawa who would like to encourage local students and young artists to do the same.”

Zimany has been at Clemson since 2010 and is an assistant professor specializing in ceramics. Her research interests include ceramics and sculpture, as well as Asian art history, specifically Japanese ceramics and visual culture.

Administered by the U.S. Department of Education, International Education Programs Service (IEPS), the Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad program funds fellowships through institutions of higher education to faculty members to conduct research abroad in modern foreign languages and area studies.

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