Last year I curated a group exhibition for ArtYard titled (in)animate. Each of the seven artists that participated in the project is remarkable. Today I’m pleased to share the work of one of them, Bruce Gardner. I will continue sharing the rest of the artists this week.
Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Bruce Gardner has not only mastered the art of Hikaru dorodango but over years of practice, he has added his own changes to the technique. Dorodango are balls of mud, molded by hand into perfect spheres, dried, and polished to an unbelievable luster.
Holding these spheres in your hands is a unique experience, perhaps because the material in it is alive. Unlike fired ceramic, which feels cold to the touch, these spheres feel slightly warm. Two of them are now in my collection. If you are interested in purchasing one, or more than one, you can contact the artist via email at bgardne@gmail.com. Bruce also teaches workshops on how to build dorodango. He taught one at ArtYard during his visit, and it was a success. Next day some of the participants sent us photos and videos of them building their first dorodango.
This is awesome Bruce I’m definitely trying this although i made my clay using the wet method but I’ll do some work and hopefully I’ll have some beautiful shiny dumplings of my own.I also live in New Mexico and love red clay.
What were those round spheres used for? I have a couple of the larger one and few of the smaller ones about the size of a marble. And did the Indians make them. I live in south Texas and I have found few of them in different places where I live. Always wanted to know something about them.