Harlan standing with 'Super-Galen' (front)

In 2008, Harlan was awarded a two year Canada Council for the Arts grant to carry out research and development on large scale porcelain vessels. This award has allowed Harlan to explore both technically and creatively.

Below, Harlan's own description of one new piece provides some insight into the focus and form of his new project.

'Super-Galen' (back) .

"I worked on this piece in response to a label on a Loblaws President's Choice jar of "Just Peanuts" organic peanut butter. On the label is printed "Product of Canada" and since we do not grow peanuts in Canada, I made a call to Loblaws. It turns out that the peanuts come from China, where organic anything is dubious at best. Product of Canada...hmmm.

Apparently if 51% of the production costs are spent in Canada, the product becomes "Product of Canada". I thought President Galen Weston deserved a little monument for his ingenious work. Did you know that Canadians also grow almonds? True says Galen.

I have included a Canadian symbol in the work. A little beaver is standing on guard on the deck, with a Chinese prayer rug at its feet. Perhaps Loblaws thinks that all consumers can do is bow down and accept their version of Made in Canada. My response is: I no longer buy the product, we make our own nut butters and I am moved to make art that questions the ethics/morals of big corporate food empires. Win win win.

Concurrently, I am working on Coke, Pepsi, KFC and McDonalds brands as well as many facets of the fast food business that is North America's gift to the world. There is no shortage of subject matter!