Approaching Fru ition By Karel Peeters

am a potter working out of my home-based studio located close
E Nelson in the beautiful Kootenays. I am looking forward to

my upcoming exhibition at the Gallery of BC Ceramics entitled
Fruition and would like to share some of the influences that shaped
my approach to ceramics. I chose the title “fruition” as a reference to
the evolutionary process of working with clay for the past 30 years,
plus I really like fruic.

I received my basic training as a potter at Sheridan College, School
of Craft and Design in Ontario, which I attended for three years in
the early 80's. It seemed to be a time and place of fresh interest and
enthusiasm for colourful low-fired earthenware and I developed an
immediate and continuing attraction to working with earthenware.

My instructor, Bruce Cochrane, demonstrated a passion for producing
well-designed functional ceramics that validated the traditional role of
a potter but approached this challenge with innovation and creativity.

People have occasionally commented that my work reminds them
of blown glass, which I find complimentary. I have always been
amazed by the rich fluid translucent colours obtained with hot glass
and have tried to incorporate this rich fluidity of colour in my glaze
application.

‘The most common remark I hear about my pottery refers to my use
of colour. Obviously colour is important regardless of one’s medium
but I have become increasingly intrigued, and perhaps obsessed,
with the use of colour. I think of the bowls and platters I produce
as blank canvases to apply coloured glaze in an expressive manner.
‘This approach has led to the evolution of the simple basic forms that
characterize my work.

Recently, I have been taking inspiration from the emerging local
food movement. I am encouraged by people’s increasing awareness of
the community value of purchasing locally-grown quality food, and
see a parallel to people buying handmade items from their regional

artisans. I take satisfaction in creating pieces that can be used to
celebrate the daily domestic rituals surrounding the preparation and
presentation of food.

I look forward to meeting any fellow potters who can attend the
opening on Aug. 1 on Granville Island.

September is membership renewal month!

Renew your membership before Sept. 10 and you can participate Feel free to share this issue of the newsletter with friends and
in the members Black and White Exhibit at the Gallery of BC colleagues so they can learn about the benefits of membership
Ceramics on Granville Island.

www.shadboltcentre.com
6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby BC

Registration for Fall 2009 and Winter 2010 programs begins July 20 at any recreation centre in

\) Burnaby. Call Shadbolt Centre at 604-291-6864, or register online at www.burnaby.ca/webreg. City of
4Z Programs cover all skill levels. Early Bird registration for the 2010 Canadian Clay Symposium: Burnaby
Aesthetics begins on October 5, 2009. ECaliteal Serves
POTTERS
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COLUMBIA Potters Guild of BC Newsletter - July/August 2009 4