iputaspellonyou

About iputaspellonyou

This contemporary sculptural ceramic piece by Steven Heinemann is designed to be mounted on the wall.

Steven Heinemann has spent decades patiently exploring the outer limits of his art form. Known internationally for his superb craftsmanship and attention to detail, he has consistently elevated the art of ceramics. Heinemann strives to create work that ‘is animate and has agency.”
He uses slip cast moulding—a technique that allows him to hand-build shapes that cannot be easily made on a potter’s wheel. The elongated organic form of this piece is inspired by nature. Its rich red coloured surface is achieved through meticulous layering of clay that adds intriguing details. Cracks and markings naturally appear as each layer dries, shrinks and reveals its ‘underbelly.’ This striking effect is a signature of Heinemann’s work. The catchy title is named after an iconic blues track by the American singer, Jay Hawkins, originally released in 1956. Heinemann loves music.

“Iputaspellonyou is engaging what is already implicit in pottery and how it has evolved, echoing the body--the early human instinct for projection/abstraction.”
Steven Heinemann

“The ceramic sculptures of Steven Heinemann are astonishing, mysterious enigmas inviting thoughts about being and non-being, the tangible and the intangible. His thirty-five-year practice is deeply rooted in the principles of the 1960s studio craft movement, which prioritizes process, material, and the non-functional object to create autonomous sculpture.” Dr. Rachel Gotlieb, curator and historian

Steven Heinemann earned an MFA from Alfred University, NY, in 1983 and has taught in Canada and the US. Heinemann has exhibited continuously since his first solo exhibition at the Ontario Crafts Council in 1982. His work is held in museums the world over. Heinemann has received many national and international awards, including the Saidye Bronfman Award, Canada’s highest recognition of achievement in contemporary craft.