Ngan, Wayne
Item
Maker Name
Ngan, Wayne
Studio name
Wayne Ngan Pottery
Marks
Biography
Wayne Ngan has been, for some decades, BC’s and Canada’s most recognized ceramic artist. His work has been exhibited and collected world-wide. He was influenced by Japanese, Korean and Chinese ceramics, and by Modernist elements from the Canadian West Coast art scene. In 2004 his work was included in two distinctly different exhibitions. 'Thrown', at the Morris and Helen Belkin Gallery, UBC, and in 'A Modern Life' at the Vancouver Art Gallery. 'Thrown' was about Leach/Mingei influences that came to BC though the Leach apprentices. 'A Modern Life' was about Modernist art and design in post-war BC. Wayne's work was deemed to speak to both art movements.
In 1952, at the age of 13 Wayne Ngan immigrated to Canada from Guangdong, China, and he first lived and worked in Richmond. He received the Marie E. Pottery Prize, encouraging him to attend the VSA. He graduated with Honours in 1963, studying with Robert Weghsteen, with fellow students, Heinz Laffin and Leonard Epp. He and Heinz taught pottery at the VAG night school - their students were Don Hutchinson and Lari Robson. Wayne left for Hornby Island as did Heinz Laffin in 1967. Between 1969-75 Wayne built a home and studio at Downes Point, with raku, gas and wood kilns
In 1965 Wayne's exhibition was the inaugural show at the Bau-Xi Gallery. Hiro Urakami featured his work in five solo shows at the House of Ceramics between 1972-78. In Victoria he exhibited at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.
In 1977 Wayne also traveled to China to study Sung and early Ming Pottery and architecture in China.
In 1978 Wayne traveled to Japan to study with Toichi Murakami. Also in 1978, he had a solo show at the Vancouver Art Gallery curated by Doris Shadbolt, who championed other ceramic solo shows by BC artists at VAG during the 1970s.
Throughout Wayne's career he held many workshops, mentored young potters, and was a spokesperson for ceramics to his visitors.
In the 2000s Wayne’s work could be found at the Gallery of BC Ceramics, he had solo shows at the Nathalie Karg Gallery, New York, and Marc Jancou, Geneva, and during the London Design Festival, at Canada House. He also exhibited in Japan, Taipei, USA, and across Canada.
Over five decades Wayne received Canada's most prestigious awards.
In 1977 - the Governor General’s Commemorative Medal. In 1983 - the Saidye Bronfman Award. In 1984 a Canada Arts Council grant to build a kiln. In 2013 - the British Columbia Creative Achievement Award of Distinction.
Wayne was featured in a number of films, the first, 'Wayne Ngan on Hornby Island’ (Michael Speier) was shown across Canada and inspired others to move to BC and the Gulf Islands. In 1996 he was invited to appear on the TV show Sesame Street.
In later life Wayne returned a number of times to Guangzhou, China, to study and work.
In 2020/21 Wayne's work was included posthumorously, in the 'Modern in the Making' exhibition at the VAG, and in the 'We do not Work Alone' exhibition at the Nanaimo Art Gallery.
For complete record of Wayne Ngan's practice- images, exhibitions, publications, see the comprehensive website;
https://www.waynengan.com
In 1952, at the age of 13 Wayne Ngan immigrated to Canada from Guangdong, China, and he first lived and worked in Richmond. He received the Marie E. Pottery Prize, encouraging him to attend the VSA. He graduated with Honours in 1963, studying with Robert Weghsteen, with fellow students, Heinz Laffin and Leonard Epp. He and Heinz taught pottery at the VAG night school - their students were Don Hutchinson and Lari Robson. Wayne left for Hornby Island as did Heinz Laffin in 1967. Between 1969-75 Wayne built a home and studio at Downes Point, with raku, gas and wood kilns
In 1965 Wayne's exhibition was the inaugural show at the Bau-Xi Gallery. Hiro Urakami featured his work in five solo shows at the House of Ceramics between 1972-78. In Victoria he exhibited at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.
In 1977 Wayne also traveled to China to study Sung and early Ming Pottery and architecture in China.
In 1978 Wayne traveled to Japan to study with Toichi Murakami. Also in 1978, he had a solo show at the Vancouver Art Gallery curated by Doris Shadbolt, who championed other ceramic solo shows by BC artists at VAG during the 1970s.
Throughout Wayne's career he held many workshops, mentored young potters, and was a spokesperson for ceramics to his visitors.
In the 2000s Wayne’s work could be found at the Gallery of BC Ceramics, he had solo shows at the Nathalie Karg Gallery, New York, and Marc Jancou, Geneva, and during the London Design Festival, at Canada House. He also exhibited in Japan, Taipei, USA, and across Canada.
Over five decades Wayne received Canada's most prestigious awards.
In 1977 - the Governor General’s Commemorative Medal. In 1983 - the Saidye Bronfman Award. In 1984 a Canada Arts Council grant to build a kiln. In 2013 - the British Columbia Creative Achievement Award of Distinction.
Wayne was featured in a number of films, the first, 'Wayne Ngan on Hornby Island’ (Michael Speier) was shown across Canada and inspired others to move to BC and the Gulf Islands. In 1996 he was invited to appear on the TV show Sesame Street.
In later life Wayne returned a number of times to Guangzhou, China, to study and work.
In 2020/21 Wayne's work was included posthumorously, in the 'Modern in the Making' exhibition at the VAG, and in the 'We do not Work Alone' exhibition at the Nanaimo Art Gallery.
For complete record of Wayne Ngan's practice- images, exhibitions, publications, see the comprehensive website;
https://www.waynengan.com
First name
Wayne
Last name
Ngan
Career dates (start and end)
1963
2020
Date of Birth
1937
Date of Death
2020
Place of Birth
Guangdong, China
Studio location
Formal Education
Apprenticeships
1978 Yoichi Murakami, Japan
Major Exhibitions
For complete list of exhibitions see website
Small selection of Canadian & BC exhibits below;
Small selection of Canadian & BC exhibits below;
2021 -'We Do Not Work Alone'
Jesse Birch, Nanaimo Art Gallery
Jesse Birch, Nanaimo Art Gallery
2020 'Modern in the Making: Post-War Craft and Design in British Columbia' Daina Augaitis, Allan Collier and Stephanie Rebick, Vancouver Art Gallery,
2012
Back to the Land: Ceramics from Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands 1970-1985, Dianne Carr
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
Back to the Land: Ceramics from Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands 1970-1985, Dianne Carr
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
2011 A Modern Eye, Craft and Design in Canada, 1940-1980' Allan Collier, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.
2004 A Modern Life: Art and Design in British Columbia 1945–1960' Alan Elder
Vancouver Art Gallery
Vancouver Art Gallery
2004 'Thrown: Influences and Intentions of West Coast Ceramics' Scott Watson, Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery,
1992 ' Selected Treasures: A Treasury of Canadian Craft'
Inaugural exhibition - Canadian Craft Museum - Opening of Cathedral Place gallery, Vancouver
Inaugural exhibition - Canadian Craft Museum - Opening of Cathedral Place gallery, Vancouver
1989 'Masters of Craft' Canadian Museum of Civilization (now the National History Museum)
1980 'Retrospect Ceramics 80' , PGBC 25th Anniversary
1978 'Pottery by Wayne Ngan' Doris Shadbolt, Vancouver Art Gallery
1972-78 House of Ceramics, five shows, Vancouver, BC
1970 Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
1965 /1983 / 1996 Bau-Xi Gallery, Vancouver, BC
1969 Canadian Ceramics ‘69
Vancouver Art Gallery
Vancouver Art Gallery
1964 'The New Ceramic Presence' Alvin Balkind, University of British Columbia, Fine Arts Gallery
Collections
The Shadbolt Collection, Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery, UBC, Vancouver BC
The Claridge Collection (donated by Claridge and Stephen Bronfman),
Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI
Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, BC
The Bronfman Collection, Canadian Museum of Civilization, Gatineau, QC
Gardiner Museum, Toronto, ON
The Vancouver Art Gallery, BC
The Winnipeg Art Gallery, MB
The Diane Carr Collection, Nanaimo Art Gallery, BC
Affiliated organizations
Personal Website
Tag
Links to Further Resources
https://www.worldcat.org/title/wayne-ngan-island-potter/oclc/85226285
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-friday-edition-1.5628748/wayne-ngan-b-c-ceramics-artist-whose-whole-life-is-an-art-project-has-died-1.5628981
https://www.bcachievement.com/awardee/wayne-ngan/
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/article-bc-potter-wayne-ngan-turned-clay-into-objects-of-rare-sculptural/
https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/local-arts/obituary-wayne-ngan-a-life-of-magical-art-in-ceramics-and-sculpture
2007
Documentary Glimpses of Heaven by Michael Aved Dayan plays at the Ridge Theatre, Vancouver
Documentary Glimpses of Heaven by Michael Aved Dayan plays at the Ridge Theatre, Vancouver
1983 - Saidye Bronfan Award - Masters in the Crafts
https://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/arts/bronfman/ngan1e.html
https://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/arts/bronfman/ngan1e.html
1980
CBC television program, Three West Coast Artists —Toni Onley, Gordon Smith, and Wayne Ngan. Produced by Nancy Riley.
CBC television program, Three West Coast Artists —Toni Onley, Gordon Smith, and Wayne Ngan. Produced by Nancy Riley.
1977 Catalogue of British Columbian Potters – Bob Kingsmill
1974 film Wayne Ngan: On Hornby Island
Directed by Matthew Speier
Directed by Matthew Speier
Source
Debra E. Sloan
Linked resources
Filter by property
| Title | Alternate label | Class |
|---|---|---|
 Ngan, Wayne mark |
Maker | Image |
 Ngan, Wade mark |
Maker | Image |
 Ngan, Wayne mark |
Maker | Image |
 Ngan, Wayne mark |
Maker | Image |
 Ngan, Wayne mark |
Maker | Image |
 Ngan, Wayne mark |
Maker | Image |
 Ngan, Wayne mark |
Maker | Image |
 Ngan, Wayne mark |
Maker | Image |