VERNON, CANADA
Collection: ROBIN DUPONT
ARTIST STATEMENT
Historically, most glaze is applied by dipping, pouring, painting or spraying. I am interested in using flame and the draft of the kiln to distribute the minerals from the wood through the process of wood firing. Doing this successfully requires consideration of the minerals in the clay, the minerals present in different species of wood, how the forms relate to each other when stacked, and how this affects both aesthetic and thermal dynamics of firing. These variables are impossible to replicate. This inability to replicate is embraced in the making as well. Each piece is a complex matrix of decisions made during the manipulation of malleable clay and firing it, never to be repeated.
Robin DuPont is a ceramic artist and educator specializing in atmospheric firing techniques. His work is an inquiry into the ceramic process and the relational aspects of useful objects.
With a Masters Degree from Utah State University, Robin has also participated in several artist-in-residence programs, research and work studies abroad and has professional experience in kiln building and teaching at the post secondary level.
Education
Masters of Fine Arts, Ceramics - Utah State University 2008-2011
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Ceramics - Alberta College of Art and Design 1996-2004
Professional Experience
2023
Artist in Residence, Cobb Mountain Art & Ecology, California USA
Pottery Expert, The Great Canadian Pottery Throwdown, CBC
2022
Lecture Series, Woodfiring in Canada, Northwest Ceramics foundation
Kiln Build, Alberta University of the Arts, Calgary AB
Workshop presenter, Medalta (MIAIR) Alberta AB
Kiln Building, AUARTS, Calgary AB
2020
Workshop presenter, Faculty - Ceramics Studio Open Workshop, Kootenay Studio Arts, Selkirk College, Nelson, BC
2019
Workshop presenter, AUARTS, Calgary, AB Woodfire @ NMPAC
2018
Cultural Confluence - International Woodfire Residency & Symposium, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT, USA
Workshop presenter, Delta Potter’s Association, Delta, BC
Juror, Fraser Valley Potters Guild Exhibition
Faculty, Kootenay School of Art, Selkirk College, Nelson, BC
Juror, Castlegar Sculpturewalk, Castlegar, BC
2017
AIA Woodfire Residency, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, MT
Presenter, 1000 Miles Apart, University of Regina, Regina, SK
Workshop presenter, Alberta Potter’s Association, Winlaw, BC
Sessional Faculty, Kootenay School of Art, Selkirk College, Nelson, BC
Workshop presenter, Yellowknife, NWT
Workshop presenter, Red Deer College, Red Deer, AB
2016
Faculty, Kiln Building Ceramics Residency, The Banff Centre, Banff, AB
Workshop Presenter, Medalta International Artists in Residence, Medicine Hat, AB
Juror, Medalta International Exhibition - Cheers, Medicine Hat, AB
Participant, International Woodfire Conference, Waubonsee College, IL, USA
2015
Faculty, Ceramics Department, Alberta College of Art and Design, Calgary, AB
Presenter, Fusion Conference, ON Clay and Glass Association, Hamilton, ON
Presenter, Dig This! Exploring BC Clay Conference, Shadbolt Centre, Burnaby, BC
Workshop presenter, Shadbolt Centre, Burnaby, BC
Workshop presenter, Red Deer College, Red Deer, AB
Participant, Woodfire Invitational, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, MT
2014
Facilitator and Workshop Presenter, Anagama Kiln Building, Winlaw, BC
Workshop presenter, Metchosin International Summer School, Victoria, BC
2012-2013
Faculty, School of Art, Ceramics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
2011-2012
Visiting Artist Ceramics, Alberta College of Art and Design, Calgary, AB
2010
Featured Artist, Medalta International Artists in Residence, Medicine Hat, AB
Select Exhibition Record
2023
Solo Exhibition , The Loading Bay, Vancouver, BC
2022
Plenty, Black & Smith Gallery, Jerseyville, ON
2021
Thrown, Touchstones Museum of Art & History, Nelson, BC
Of This Place - Solo Exhibition, The Langham, Kaslo, BC
2020
Yunomi Invitational, AKAR Design, Iowa City, IA
Solo Exhibition, Tilted Brick Gallery, Creston, BC
The Devil is in the Details - Soda Fired Invitational, Pottery Northwest, Seattle, WA
2019
Yunomi Invitational, AKAR Design, Iowa City, IA
2018
International Woodfire Exhibition, Shaller Gallery, Michigan, USA
Salt Spring Island Ceramic Awards, Salt Spring, BC
2017
Canadian Craft Biennial, Art Gallery of Burlington, Burlington, ON
Connected by Fire, Woodfired Invitational, Blue Spiral 1, Asheville, NC, USA
Featured Artist, Canada 150 Celebrates, Willock & Sax Fine Art Gallery, Banff, AB
Form: Mobile Contemporary Ceramics Exhibition, Shadbolt Centre Burnaby, BC
Groundwork, Shane Norrie Contemporary Gallery, Stratford, ON
2016
International Wood Fire Conference Invitational, Waubonsee, Sugar Grove, IL, USA
Vision and Persistence: USU 30 Years of Ceramic Excellence, NCECA, Kansas City, MO
Yunomi Invitational, AKAR Design, Iowa City, IA
Fired Up, Metchosin Hall, Metchosin, BC
Feast of Pottery, Alexis Templeton Gallery, St. John’s, NL
Flux Woodfired Vessels, Willock & Sax, Banff, AB
Sustain: Clay to Table, MOCA Jacksonville, FL, USA
2015
Masterworks, Alberta Craft Council, Edmonton & Stony Plain, AB
Mud, Hands, Fire, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
The Makings VI, Willock & Sax Fine Art Gallery, Banff, AB
TOOL!Medalta International Art Exhibition, Medicine Hat, AB
Fusion Clay and Glass Show, Hamilton, ON
Dig This! Exploring BC Clay, Gallery of BC Ceramics, Vancouver, BC
Yunomi Invitational, AKAR Design, Iowa City, IA
2014
The Makings V: Featured Artist,Willock & Sax Fine Art Gallery, Banff, AB
Caffeine, Alberta Craft Council, Edmonton, AB
Feast of Pottery, Alexis Templeton Gallery, St. John’s, NL
Trial by Fire, Kootenay Gallery of Art, Castlegar, BC
2014 NCECA Exhibitor’s Gallery, Red Lodge Clay Centre, Milwaukee, WI, USA
2013
Hot Mud, Touch III, Burlington Art Gallery, Burlington ON
RBC Emerging Artist Exhibition,Touch II, Gardiner Museum, Toronto, ON
The Makings IV, Willock & Sax Fine Art Gallery, Banff, AB
Medalta International Cup Show, Medalta, Medicine Hat, AB
Feast of Pottery, Alexis Templeton Gallery, St. John’s, NL
NCECA Exhibitor’s Gallery, Red Lodge Clay Centre, Houston, TX
Solo Exhibition, Willock & Sax Fine Art Gallery, Banff, AB
Bourbon Bluegrass Exhibition,Kentucky Museum of Art & Craft, Louisville, KY
Woodfired Invitational, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT, USA
Contemporary Traditionalists, Red Lodge Clay Centre, Red Lodge MT, USA
2012
Chocolate Pots, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, MT, USA
Impinge, Solo exhibition, Gallery 2, Grand Forks, BC
The Makings III, Willock & Sax Fine Art Gallery, Banff, AB
Confluence,Solo exhibition, Alberta Craft Council, Edmonton, AB
Touch, Solo exhibition, The Candahar – IKG, ACAD, Calgary, AB
In-house, Solo exhibition, Gallery 371, ACAD, Calgary, AB
2012 NCECA Exhibitor’s Gallery, Red Lodge Clay Centre, Seattle, WA
2011
Trace, MFA Thesis Exhibition, USU Logan, UT
Connections Materialized, KSA Faculty Show, Castlegar, BC
The Makings II, Willock & Sax Fine Art Gallery, Banff, AB
2011 NCECA National Student Juried Exhibition, Tampa, FL
2010
2010 NCECA National Student Juried Exhibition, Philadelphia, PA
The Makings, Willock and Sax Gallery, Banff, AB
Salt and Soda National, Missoula, MT
Clay Dynamics, MAIR Medalta, Medicine Hat, AB
2009
Conduit, USU Graduate show, Logan, UT
NCECA Regional Juried Student Exhibition, Phoenix, AZ
USU Graduate show, NCECA Phoenix, AZ
Awards, Grants, Publications
2023 City of Nelson Cultural Ambassador designation
2022 Making Pots, Hamaka Magazine Vol.1
2021 Mayer Wosk Award for Excellence in Ceramics, NorthWest Ceramics Foundation
2020 Ceramics Encyclopedia, Uppercase Magazine
2019 Grant recipient, Columbia Basin Cultural Alliance
2018 Salt Spring International Ceramics Award Recipient - 2nd prize
2018 Regional Perspectives - Studio Potter, Vol 46, No.1
2016 Anagama: Persistent Inquiry The Log Book, Issue 65 2016
2015 Mud, Hands, Fire Exhibition Catalogue, Edited and Curated by Mary Ann Steggles, The School of Art, University of Manitoba
2015 Grant recipient, Columbia Basin Cultural Alliance
2013 Visual Arts Fine Craft Artist Project Grant recipient, Canada Council for the Arts
2013 RBC Emerging Artist Nominee, Gardiner Museum
2011 Major project grant recipient, Columbia Basin Trust
2005 Strictly Functional; Lancaster PA, USA; Juror’s award recipient
2004 ACAD, BFA Graduation show, Board of Governors nominee
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