McKnight Artist Talk: Simphiwe Mbunyuza and Shiyuan Xu

Please join us at Northern Clay Center in welcoming our two late-spring McKnight Artists in Residence, Simphiwe Mbunyuza and Shiyuan Xu. As both artists bring their unique perspectives to NCC’s studios, we look forward to supporting their creative visions while establishing new connections within NCC’s community.

Tuesday, June 9, 6 – 7 pm, FREE
NCC Library

Simphiwe Mbunyuza (born 1989) is a South African artist and ceramic sculptor based in Johannesburg. His large-scale abstract ceramic work draws inspiration from his Xhosa cultural background and African cultural symbolism. Simphiwe joins NCC with a rich ceramic arts experience including numerous solo and group exhibitions across the world, and residency experiences at renowned centers such as Anderson Ranch and the Archie Bray Foundation.

Born in Hangzhou, P.R China, Shiyuan Xu currently lives in Chico, California, where she is an assistant professor at California State University, Chico. Xu adds NCC’s McKnight Residency for ceramic artists to an impressive list of prestigious residency opportunities including experiences at the Archie Bray Foundation, the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Lawrence Arts Center and Lillstreet Art Center. She has exhibited nationally and internationally, with work included in many permanent collections in the US and abroad including the Federal Reserve Board Fine Arts Collection, and Victoria and Albert Museum.

Northern Clay center is thrilled to welcome these two artists to our community. Hear from the artists directly about their experiences, artistic practices, and processes, with time afterward for questions.

This program is made possible by the generous support of the McKnight Foundation, Minneapolis. The McKnight Foundation, a Minnesota-based family foundation, advances a more just, creative, and abundant future where people and planet thrive. Established in 1953, the McKnight Foundation is deeply committed to advancing climate solutions in the Midwest; building an equitable and inclusive Minnesota; and supporting the arts and culture in Minnesota, neuroscience, and global food systems.