Skirted Large Wall Plate Wood Fired 3

About Skirted Large Wall Plate Wood Fired 3

This contemporary ceramic vessel is by Bruce Cochrane.

The striking clay artwork of this Canadian artist has garnered him international attention, including several nominations for the esteemed Governor General’s Award for excellence. A master ceramicist, Cochrane’s ethereal work is wholly contemporary but inspired by the rich ancient global tradition of working with clay. Cochrane is best known for his use of wood-fired clay that lends a distinctive texture and colour to the material. This is one of a series of wall plates that appear organic in shape; its earthy colour palette of a creamy white is marked by flame and partially edged by a dramatic black form.

“After an initial stage of concept drawing, the idea evolves by working in multiples. The serial approach not only keeps me focused on progressively solving the immediate problems but also presents, at various stages throughout the process, numerous possibilities for other work.” Bruce Cochrane

“Cochrane plays with this formal rigidity by wood firing his unglazed pieces. This results in random flame patterns and variations on the pots that soften their overall aesthetic. This relationship between precise forms and imprecise surfaces results in pottery that continues to inspire and please the eye.”
Jessica Cabe, Ceramics Monthly

Born in Vancouver, Bruce Cochrane’s family moved to Montreal, where he was first introduced to ceramics in high school. He continued his education at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, where he obtained a BFA. In the late seventies, he acquired his MFA from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. Returning to Ontario, he taught ceramics at Sheridan College in Ontario from 1978-2010. He continues to hold workshops and exhibit his work internationally. In a career that spans fifty years, Cochrane has received numerous awards over the years and been nominated several times for the prestigious Governor General’s Award. His work has been exhibited internationally and can be found in collections at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art in Toronto and the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa. He is a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (RCA). Bruce Cochrane’s home and studio are in Markdale, Ontario.