Best of Phoenix hit newsstands Sept. 26. In conjunction with this year's Vintage Phoenix theme, New Times is collaborating with R. Pela Contemporary Art to present "Hot Plate!" It's an exhibition of one-of-a-kind, Phoenix-inspired commemorative plates made by local artists. Leading up to the show's Oct. 4 opening, we're profiling each of the contributing artists and visiting their studios. Today: Christopher Jagmin.
Artist Christopher Jagmin considers himself a dinnerware designer and encaustic painter, meaning he uses wax and oil paint. He sells his porcelain plates to different retailers throughout the states, and has had clients in South America.
See also: Hot Plate! Best of Phoenix Commemorative Collaboration Opens Oct. 4 at R. Pela Gallery
Jagmin says he's excited to be showing his plate at Robrt Pela's gallery, because it has given him room to combine different aspects of his creativity in a way that is new for him. Because he creates from things that interest him, Jagmin says he frees himself from labeling because his changing style cannot be easily characterized.
As an artist, Jagmin says he likes to stay inspired, but not overly stimulated, and Phoenix is a place that has brought him much of that inspiration.
What's your earliest memory of Phoenix? Flying over the Valley, I remember seeing the contrast of a dirty brown landscape and intense, deep blue sky. It was not encouraging.
What inspired your plate for this show? I was inspired by the dozen years that I have lived in Phoenix. My life has changed drastically in those 12 years, and Phoenix played a big role.
Phoenix needs more... Respect from the rest of the world.
Phoenix needs less... Cars.
What's on your plate this fall? Currently I have a Kickstarter campaign to get my next dinnerware collection going ... [the funding period ends Oct. 6.] So, with any luck, I will be producing these plates, but it is an uphill climb. Also, as the weather cools down, I will be painting again (I work with encaustics and my studio is outdoors, from October through early June). Kate Timmerman (local painter) and I are planning an exhibit of our work in November, and am showing with two other artists in January.
See Jagmin's work when "Hot Plate!" opens October 4 at R. Pela Contemporary Art.
