Ceramic artist uses necklaces to link slavery, power, values

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A Beltzhoover native’s work is among the many exhibitions and events connected with the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts Conference March 14-17 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown.

“Sharif Bey: Dialogues in Clay and Glass” opens Friday at the Pittsburgh Glass Center, 5472 Penn Ave., Garfield. An artist’s reception will be held from 5-9 p.m. March 15.

Mr. Bey is an associate professor of art education at Syracuse University. In November, his work will be featured in the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum during the 2018 Renwick Invitational.

He grew up in Beltzhoover and learned about clay as a teenager at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild on the North Side. Mr. Bey holds a bachelor’s degree in ceramics from Slippery Rock University, a master’s degree in studio art from the University of North Carolina and a doctorate in art education from Penn State University.

One of his trademark series comprises oversized clay necklace forms that reference notions of power, ornamentation and natural history associated with traditional African jewelry. African slaves produced beads thought to have been connectedto slave barter systems, and in the 1960s beads emerged as political symbols. Mr. Bey has said that juxtaposing this history with images and values reflected in bling-bling culture generates questions regarding social responsibility versus social status, tradition versus trend and wealthversus power.

Mr. Bey recently participated in the center’s Idea Furnace residency program, which links artists working outside the medium of glass with an established glass artist. The exhibition continues through May 6. Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday through Monday. Admission is free. Information: www.pittsburghglasscenSEE ter.org or 412-365-2145.