Hidari-uma:
Riding the horse backwards, embracing the unknown
MARCH 5 – APRIL 18, 2021
Emily Galusha Gallery
Curated by Amanda Dobbratz
Mike Norman’s work is part allegory, alchemy, poetry, and Minge-sota. Norman grew up in Duluth near the shore of Lake Superior with his artist parents about whom the neighbors would whisper, “they are Bohemians.” He and his sister spent their childhood reading, painting, building forts, and creating imagined adventures in the wilderness. At his grandparents’ farm, he developed a deep love of animals and a particular affinity for the big black and brown floppy-eared dog named Rip. You can see Rip and other animals Norman has loved, over and over again in the illustrations on his pots and the figures in his sculpture. These animals have become part of his lexicon, his personal taxonomy of stand-ins for nostalgic adventure and poetic iconography.
This retrospective of Norman’s work will celebrate his career of over 50 years and will feature new sculpture made specifically for the exhibition.
Hidari-uma is a Japanese word meaning left-hand or dark-side horse. If refers to when a potter gets or builds a new kiln. The tradition is, a horse is brought to the pottery, standing in front of and facing away from the kiln. The potter climbs on the horse’s back facing the back of the horse. The horse begins to walk away ‘into the future’ The potter sees only his old work and is yet to know what he and his new kiln will make. I see myself as the rabbit on my horse sculpture. I am riding forward in time with my love of life and clay.
—Mike Norman
No 1. ‘Hidari-uma’ wood fired stoneware. 2021. $5000
Fired in the Sister Johanna Kiln at St. John’s Pottery with Richard Breshnehan
No. 99 ‘Tribute to George Floyd’ low fire white clay, multiple firings, glaze, paint. 2021. $5000.
No. 48 ‘La Sirena’ low fire white clay multiple firings, glaze. 2021. Sold.
Short video of walk through of Mike’s retrospective exhibit at Northern Clay Center.
Click the link here to see the lecture connected to this show.
Assorted tumblers and mugs $60-75
No 3. ‘Push-Me-Pull-You Candlestick’ low-fire white clay, multiple firings, glaze. 1999. Sold.
No. 38. ‘Nude Male Candlestick” low fire white clay, multiple firings, glaze. 1999. $300.
No. 14 ‘Ancient Conversations’ low fire white clay, multiple firings, glaze. 2021. Collection of Amanda Hundley.
No. 100 ‘Muskomori’ low fire white clay, multiple firings, glaze, wax, paint. 2021. Sold
No. 40. ‘Crusty Bowing Horse’ wood fired stoneware. 2019. Sold
Fired in the Sister Johanna kiln at St. John’s Pottery with Richard Breshnehan
‘Rusty Red Horse’, wood fired stoneware. Collection of Dan Van Tran.
To View or Purchase Work
Mike’s work is best seen in person. If that’s not an option, a virtual gallery tour is accessible via the NCC website.
The NCC galleries are open every day from 10-5 to two people at a time. Mask required. You can reach the front desk by calling 612-339-8007.
Casey Beck and NCC Sales Gallery staff are handling all sales of work.
Pegasus, low fire clay with aluminum wings
Archive
Horses
Horse (right side) 10.5”l x 8”h x 4”d
Horse (left side) 10.5”l x 8”h x 4”d
Blue Horse w/ Blue Boy (rt. side) 10.5”l x 8”h x 4”d
Blue Horse (right side) 10.5”l x8”h x 4”d
Horse (right side) 10.5”l x 8”h x 4”d
Horse (left side) 10.5”l x 8”h x 4”d
Horse (right side) 10.5”l x 8”h x 4”d
Horse (right side) 10.5”l x 8”h x 4”d
Horse (right side) 10.5”l x 8”h x 4”d
Blue Horse with Blue Boy (left side) 10.5”l x 8”h x 4”d
Blue Horse ((left side) 10.5”l x 8”h x 4”d
Horse (left side) 10.5”l x 8”h x 4”d
Horse (right side) 10.5”l x 8”h x 4”d
Horse (left side) 10.5”l x 8”h x 4”d
Horse (left side) 10.5”l x 8”h x 4”d
Horse (left side) 10.5”l x 8”h x 4”d
Blue Horse w/ Blue Haired Girl (right)10”l x 8”h x 4”d
Horse (right side) 10.5”l x 8”h x 4”d
Horse (right side) 10.5”l x 8”h x 4”d
Horse (right side) 10.5” x 8”h x 4”d
Horse (right side) 10.5”l x 8”h x 4”d
Horse (right side) 10.5”l x 8”h x 4”d
Horse (right side) 10.5”l x 8”h x 4”d
Blue Horse w/ Blue Haired Girl (left)10”l x 8”h x 4”d
Horse (left side) 10.5”l x 8”h x 4”d
Horse (left side) 10.5”l x 8”h x 4”d
Horse (left side) 10.5”l x 8”h x 4”d
Horse (left side) 10.5”l x 8”h x 4”d
Horse (left side) 10.5”l x 8”h x 4”d
Horse (left side) 10.5”l x 8”h x 4”d
Plates
Plate - Cat (front) 9.5” x9.5”
Rabbit (front) 9.5” x9.5”
Dog (front) 9.5” x9.5”
Plate - Cat (back) 9.5” x9.5”
Rabbit (back) 9.5” x9.5”
Dog (back) 9.5” x9.5”
Plate - Face (front) 9.5” x9.5”
Polar Bear (front) 9.5” x9.5”
Purple Cat(front) 9.5” x9.5”
Plate - Face (back) 9.5” x9.5”
Polar Bear (back) 9.5” x9.5”
Purple Cat (back) 9.5” x9.5”
Horse/Rabbits (front) 9.5” x9.5”
Horse/Rabbits (back) 9.5” x9.5”
Pig & Elephant Candleholders
Pig with top hat & rabbit 14”l x 11.5”h x 6”d
Baby Elephant w/Kittens - candle holder 7”l x7.5”h x 4”d
Baby Elephant w/Kittens - candle holder 7”l x7.5”h x 4”d
Star Flower Elephant - candle holder 6.5”l x 9”h x 4.5”d
Pig - candle holder 9”l x 8.5”h x 5”d
Pig with red and orange legs - candle holder 11.5”l x 8”h x 4.5”d
Pig w/ face tail - candle holder 11”l x 8.5”h x 6.75”
Pig with turquoise & orange tail - candle holder
Star Flower Elephant - candle holder 6.5”l x 9”h x 4.5”d
Elephant - candle holder 7”l x 9.75”h x 4.5”d
Events and Studio Shots
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New Horses
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Older Horses
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Grow it.
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Sell it.
