July 26, 2007

Almaden artist sees her dream come true

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Some people wait a long time for their dreams to come true, but for ceramic artist Pirjo Polari-Khan, that time is now.

Pirjo Polari-Khan exhibits her sculptures at the newly opened Terra Polaris Creative Arts Gallery in downtown Campbell. Photo by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

“Having my own gallery has been a dream of mine for many years,” she said.

“I’m at the point in my life that I have started to fulfill my dreams,” said the petite, blonde, Polari-Khan. “My philosophy is that art makes one a better person. For example, parents should give art to their children for each birthday instead of stuff that ends up in a garage sale. When they’re grown, they’ll have an art collection when they leave home.

And that dream of Polari-Khan’s is now realty. Terra Polaris [“northern earth” and also a play on her maiden name] Creative Arts Gallery located in historic downtown Campbell opened in July.

Polari-Khan knew the shop space intimately because she had shown her sculptures at the same place, the former Mind’s Eye Gallery. When the owners decided not to renew their lease, Polari-Khan’s wish became reality.

When she discovered that the owner of the building had bought several of her ceramic pieces through the years, she knew a gallery of her own “was meant to be.” But that was after the determined artist combed the South Bay for several years looking for the perfect location to showcase her work. The gallery will showcase both her artwork and work of others.

Polari-Khan credits her artistic sensibilities to her upbringing. Born in Finland, her parents were both accomplished writers, her uncle and cousin inspired painters. She has a degree in ceramics from the University of Wolverhampton in England. After marrying husband Mahmood, the couple moved to California 25 years ago. They reside in Almaden Valley where they raised their two children, Sabira, 22, and Karim, 19.

“I’ve done clay for 25 years and was ready for a change,” said Polari-Khan, regarding her gallery. “Now that the kids are grown up I have more time to do my work.”

But while her children grew, Polari-Khan was busy creating a noteworthy collection of clay sculptures, jewelry, fountains, textiles and home furnishings. Her sculptural themes revolve around the mythology of the male/female relationship and the females’ role in society.

Some of her new pieces combine clay, glass and bronze. They’re earthy, solid pieces that beg the viewer to touch them but also display the artist’s provocative sense of humor. The pieces are contemporary with the appearance of archeological artifacts akin to the Venus of Willendorf.

One of Polari-Khan’s newest creations is functional sculpture--a ceramic head lies on a pillow and may be used as a mortar, napkin holder or paperweight. When not being used it is an artwork. Made to order each will have the owner’s initials and perhaps a motto as “sleep on it.”

And as with all her art, there is a fascinating story behind the piece. While in elementary school, she was taught to embroidery initials on a pillowcase. When the teacher saw her heavily threaded sculptural letters she said, “If I were you I wouldn’t sleep on it, you’ll be scarred for life.”

As a young girl, she says she was deeply hurt but now understands the remark moved her forward to her career in sculpture.

A wall in the Terra Polaris Creative Arts Gallery displays ceramic women very much like butterflies with thought provoking titles such “Evolution,” “Making of Venus,” “Female Cycle,” “Class Portrait,” “What do you See” and the “Taliban Spring Collection,” all presented as a modern-day specimens with a whimsical twists as well as political statements. The “Female Cycle” renders a woman’s life from birth to a mature adult woman and all the stages in between--little girl, teenager, “babe,” career woman, mother, and the empty cocoon. At age 40, there are no more labels or restrictions and she is finally free to develop her personal dreams.

Polari-Khan’s art is derived from her daily experiences whether it’s the male/female relationship, men and women’s role in society or gardening, another love of hers. She was throwing out a flower bulb when she noticed a small sprout. That rebirth led her to a new series of male and females’ heads nestled within tubers and melons as if a marriage of the spirits. They are called “Amaryllis Bulb.”

Another bulbous Venus figure sports an egg on the knee signifying the “Creation of Adam.” Her “Conservation Pieces” series led to her first bronze sculpture called “Balancing Act” with a man and woman’s head facing away from each other and a trapeze artist balancing a heart and a head.

Besides sculpting and gardening, Polari-Khan is a published author. Her second book “Blueberry Pieway and Other Short Stories” was published in 2003 presenting a playful protest against an over-sexed media. She also writes a column for the Ilkka newspaper in her hometown of Seinajoki.

Polari-Khan has been a member of the Association of Clay and Glass Artists of California for 25 years where she shows her work yearly. She has shown her work in numerous California galleries.

Another dream for Polari-Khan has also come true. She plans on singing with a Finnish band and would love to croon jazz as well.

“It is my life and lifestyle to be creative,” said Polari-Khan. “If I didn’t have this world, I would be a very poor person. This brings richness to life. Art belongs to everyone and anyone can do art and express their thoughts. When I open up a new bag of clay it is an incredible feeling. This gallery is my world.”

Terra Polaris Creative Arts Gallery is located at 395 E. Campbell Ave. For more information, visit www.terra-polaris.com or call (408) 364-1000.