Regina artist Rory MacDonald wins the 2007 Winifred Shantz Award for Ceramists
I’ve been meaning to post a blog about this for weeks now, and am finally getting a few minutes here and there, so apologies for the outdated news! I was thrilled to hear that Rory MacDonald won the award this year. It was quite well deserved. When I was a student at the University of Regina, Rory was hired on in my last year of study and had a great impact on my work and approach to ceramics. I don’t think I’ve yet to meet anyone else with as much love and dedication to the medium. Beyond making extremely challenging, introspective and experimental work, Rory is also highly committed to gaining exposure for the medium, within the arts sector and in the public (literally bringing his work to the streets), pushing for greater opportunities for younger emerging artists and bridging geographical distance to collaborate with dispersed communities of makers.
These images represent a new body of work in which Rory built a small portable kiln (very space age – jet pack like!) which can be taken out to the streets and used to fire ceramic “graffiti” on brick walls with glaze. I think it’s both brilliant and hilarious!
Here’s more from the Canadian Clay and Glass website:
The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery, through support from local patron Winifred Shantz, has named Regina based artist Rory MacDonald winner of this year’s Winifred Shantz Award for Ceramists. MacDonald was awarded a $10,000 prize on Thursday night at a gala event.
The annual award presents $10,000 for innovative professional development to an emerging potter or clay sculptor, allowing the recipient time for travel, to attend international residencies or to conduct research that will enrich experience and fortify career aspirations in the field of contemporary ceramics.
Rory MacDonald is an Assistant Professor of Ceramics at the University of Regina. He holds an MFA from Alfred University in New York, and a BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. Planning to use the award to travel in Canada and Southern France and Northern Italy, MacDonald will create multiple public art interventions and a database and curatorial proposal concentrating on Canadian emerging ceramics. The artist notes that; “the ability to apply this award directly to travel will provide new opportunities to explore the possibilities of mobility in the ceramics process.” The award was presented to MacDonald amongst an audience of visual art and craft professionals and supporters.
