Fahrni, Jean
Item
Maker Name
Fahrni, Jean
Biography
Jean Farhni started
studying ceramics in 1955 under Tom Hardy of Portland,
Oregon at the UBC Summer School , held in the
UBC Pottery Huts. That same year she became involved with founding the Potters Guild of BC. She continued to take workshops and attended, alongside her sister Marjorie Feimann, the VSA 1962/63 studying under Robert Weghsteen. By 1980 her work had been included in four national and eight local juried exhibitions.
Jean had been a nurse serving at the Vancouver General Hospital. In the 1960's Jean's husband had been invited to set up an orthopedics clinic in Bangkok, and Jean went to Thailand. This was the beginning an extended interest in the culture and pottery of Southeast Asia. In 1968 she traveled in Asia with CARE Medico, and she collected Chinese pottery as she traveled up the Yellow River in China. Her collection was later shown at the Museum of Vancouver in the catalogued exhibitions, 1971 'The Talking Jars', and in 1976 she co-authored the catalogue 'Within the Potters House". Her sister, Marjorie Feimann was also involved in ceramics in Vancouver.
Jean continued to be an important contributor to the Potters Guild of BC, serving as President 1977-1980 , hosting Guild picnics, tea and viewings of her magnificent Wisteria, and sharing her collection with other potters. In her collection, other than Asian and BC pottery, were also Mingei influenced works made by Leach and Hamada and the like. During a visit to her home, Gordon Thorlaksson was inspired to design ceramic pedestals to resemble the Chinese wooden bases often found beneath an important pot, and they became a part of his practice.
Jean served as President to the Canadian Asian Society (Date?) and was also elected to be among the 52 Canadians who are Honorary Members of the Canadian Craft Federation
At the Museum of Vancouver, Jean's collection is known as the Jean MacKay Fahrni Collection and just before she died in 2019 (age 100) Michael Chen of the Canadian Society for Asian Arts and the Museum of Vancouver hosted the exhibition, 'Dragon Jars and Lotus Bowls', showcasing some of her collection.
Jean had been a nurse serving at the Vancouver General Hospital. In the 1960's Jean's husband had been invited to set up an orthopedics clinic in Bangkok, and Jean went to Thailand. This was the beginning an extended interest in the culture and pottery of Southeast Asia. In 1968 she traveled in Asia with CARE Medico, and she collected Chinese pottery as she traveled up the Yellow River in China. Her collection was later shown at the Museum of Vancouver in the catalogued exhibitions, 1971 'The Talking Jars', and in 1976 she co-authored the catalogue 'Within the Potters House". Her sister, Marjorie Feimann was also involved in ceramics in Vancouver.
Jean continued to be an important contributor to the Potters Guild of BC, serving as President 1977-1980 , hosting Guild picnics, tea and viewings of her magnificent Wisteria, and sharing her collection with other potters. In her collection, other than Asian and BC pottery, were also Mingei influenced works made by Leach and Hamada and the like. During a visit to her home, Gordon Thorlaksson was inspired to design ceramic pedestals to resemble the Chinese wooden bases often found beneath an important pot, and they became a part of his practice.
Jean served as President to the Canadian Asian Society (Date?) and was also elected to be among the 52 Canadians who are Honorary Members of the Canadian Craft Federation
At the Museum of Vancouver, Jean's collection is known as the Jean MacKay Fahrni Collection and just before she died in 2019 (age 100) Michael Chen of the Canadian Society for Asian Arts and the Museum of Vancouver hosted the exhibition, 'Dragon Jars and Lotus Bowls', showcasing some of her collection.
First name
Jean
Last name
Fahrni
Career dates (start and end)
1955
Date of Birth
1919
Date of Death
2019
Place of Death
Studio location
Formal Education
Major Exhibitions
Retrospect 1980
Collections
Museum of Vancouver
UBC Museum of Anthropology
Government of Canada, Permanent Collection
Massey Collection
Museum of Civilization in Ottawa.
Affiliated organizations
Links to Further Resources
2019 https://museumofvancouver.ca/dragon-jars-lotus-bowls
2019 https://craftedvancouver.com/events/dragon-jars-and-lotus-bowls-asian-ceramics-from-the-jean-mackay-fahrni-collection/
https://www.nwcf.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/catalogue_2018.pdf
BC Potters Jan. 2005 vol 41, NO 1
1980 Retrospect Ceramics 80, PGBC 25th Anniversary
1976 Catalogue, 'The Potters House' Museum of Vancouver
Cover of Western Potter Jam 1970 # 17
Jean Fahrni Award (1969)
Source
Debra E. Sloan
Linked resources
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