Tag Archives: British Columbia

Judy Chartrand Article Added to studioceramicscanada.com

Judy Chartrand. In Memory of Those No Longer With Us, 2022, Low fire paper clay, underglaze, glaze 11.4 x 33 cm. Photo: Judy Chartrand.
Judy Chartrand. In Memory of Those No Longer With Us, 2022, Low fire paper clay, underglaze, glaze 11.4 x 33 cm. Photo: Judy Chartrand.
Judy Chartrand. Cupboard of Contention (2001) Slip-cast, low-fire clay, underglaze, glaze, lustre, antique cupboard, wooden letters, paint. 142.3 x 57.2 x 45.7 cm. Rennie Collection. Photo: Alina Ilyasova.
Judy Chartrand. Cupboard of Contention (2001) Slip-cast, low-fire clay, underglaze, glaze, lustre, antique cupboard, wooden letters, paint. 142.3 x 57.2 x 45.7 cm. Rennie Collection. Photo: Alina Ilyasova.

Vancouver indigenous artist, Judy Chartrand, uses her art to give voice to her experience and observations of the indigenous experience in North America.

In an article contributed by noted writer, educator and artist, Amy Gogarty, we can see not only the art but also “hear” the passion underlying Chartrand’s works.

Judy’s titles can have a wicked wit that expose deeper actual pain. And yet she can then take joy in natures’ colours and forms as she incorporates images and styles of other indigenous cultures. She has also created architectural scale works that move her beyond the museum and collector orbits.

Share Judy Chartrand’s own story and her art’s stories.

Thomas Kakinuma (1908-1982) Page Added To Studio Ceramics Canada Website

Thomas Kakinuma, UBC, late 50s, Image courtesy of Rare Books and Special Collections, University of British Columbia

Thomas Kakinuma, UBC, late 50s, Image courtesy of Rare Books and Special Collections, University of British Columbia

I am pleased to announce a guest article by Debra E. Sloan on the BC artist Thomas Kakinuma (1908-1982)   

Kakinuma’s teachings, personality and style were profound for the developing BC ceramic community. His life and work characterize the mid-century journey that ceramists undertook in those days. A collective and personal sense of the affection and respect for him can be felt in Debra’ s guest article.

Debra is not only a ceramist herself but also an author, historian and archivist on things BC pottery. Much that can be found today on the history of ceramics in BC are due to her work.

Thank you Debra.

Robin Hopper, RCA. A Major Page Update Added To Studio Ceramics Canada

Robin Hopper In His Studio

Robin Hopper In His Studio

Robin Hopper’s page was one of the first posted on this website, three years ago.  It is also one of the most visited. A major update is long overdue.  Artists’ pages on the site, their scope, format and content, have evolved, expanded.

The revised page explores more of Robin’s past activities and work, and also touches on his more recent activities and passions during what for him are difficult times.

Enjoy connecting with one of Canada’s most renowned ceramists, Robin Hopper RCA.

Debra Sloan, One Busy Lady

 

Sloan mek posterOver the past several months Debra Sloan has been non-stop. Honouree for Craft and Design for this year’s Mayor’s Art Award, she also had work at SOFA in Chicago in the MEK Gallery.

She was accepted into the Ceramics, Residencies, Exhibitions, Teaching and the Arts (C.R.E.T.A) – Rome residency, supported by the Hilda Gerson Award.

sloan gone roamingShe will be guest artist with the All Fired Up group in Victoria this spring, including a wood firing at Gordon Hutchen’s place on Denman Island. Currently she is also in the Best B4 Collective Exhibition, – Telling Stories.

Whew, I’m getting tired just writing this. Congratulations, Debra!

Sometimes Things Work Out. A New Pic For the Clarke’s Page

Jean Clarke Design, African Cave Drawing, c.1953-56. Coll.Laura Blodgett.

Jean Clarke Design, African Cave Drawing, c.1953-56. Coll.Laura Blodgett.

If you don’t ask, you don’t get. Asking has its benefits. Another hard to find work has been added to the page on Stan and Jean Clarke courtesy of Laura Blodgett, collector. Thank you and keep ’em coming.

Walter Dexter Pictures and Slide Show

Walter Dexter . Vase. stoneware, thrown, 12mi. #2 glaze, Cochrane, with cobalt . cone 9. 15 1/2 cm h x 11cm d

Walter Dexter . Vase. stoneware, thrown, 12mi. #2 glaze, Cochrane, with cobalt . cone 9. 15 1/2 cm h x 11cm d

Walter Dexter. Torso Vase.

Walter Dexter. Torso Vase.

If you haven’t visited the page on Walter Dexter yet, view his biography, pictures, and a slide show of his recent work.

Enjoy.

Walter Dexter RCA Page Added to Studio Ceramics Canada

Young Walter Dexter

Young Walter Dexter

I have added a page on Walter Dexter RCA to the website studioceramicscanada.com .

Dexter was an artist who moved from the the influences of Luke Lindoe and Bernard Leach, through the raku inspiration of Americans Hal Riegge and Paul Soldner, to his own signature “Torso” works and their recognizable style. His journey took him from Alberta, to Europe and eventually to British Columbia.

Enjoy his journey.

Debra Sloan And Her Ceramics. A New Page Published On Studio Ceramics Canada

Debra Sloan with her work

Debra Sloan with her work “Shall I Be Mother?”

A page on that powerhouse of energy, and award winning artist, Debra Sloan, has been added to the studioceramicscanada.com website.

Mobile Girl – with Dead Battery, 2015. L15 x H13 x D10 cm. Porcelain and telephone wire, modeled. Photo E.A.Clarke

Mobile Girl – with Dead Battery, 2015. L15 x H13 x D10 cm. Porcelain and telephone wire, modeled. Photo E.A.Clarke

Debra’s babies, dogs and horses are familiar to many. Her press moulded and slip cast figures sometimes entertain but mostly challenge the viewer’s assumptions and attitudes through their poses, gestures, surfaces and expressions.

In addition to her art she has exhibited and traveled internationally and has also researched and documented the history of the development of studio ceramics in British Columbia.

Enjoy this page and let Debra know how much you appreciate her art. You can also see more about her on her own website  http://www.debrasloan.com/ .

Breaking news: Last week Debra was awarded  the biannual Hilde Gerson Award by the Craft Council of BC. Congratulations, Debra!

Website ARCH-BC Worth Looking At

ARCH_BC Homepage

ARCH_BC Homepage

Check out ARCH-BC, a database developed by the Potters Guild of British Columbia (PGBC). It is an invaluable resource not only for the history of BC pottery but also for the documenting of potters from across Canada and from around the world who taught, demonstrated or visited the province. PGBC documents going back to the 1960s have been archived and digitized for retrieval by anyone.

Kudos to the Guild. They are light years ahead of so many other regions in preserving their ceramic history. A key driver in this project is Debra Sloan of the Guild, one of the most helpful and informed people in the business.

Robin Hopper: A new page added to the Studio Ceramics Canada website

Robin-Hopper

Robin-Hopper

I have added a page on Vancouver Island  icon Robin Hopper. You can see the page at new Robin Hopper page. 

Enjoy and pass the word around.