Susan Collett
My art practice includes the disciplines of printmaking and clay sculpture. The genesis for my current work of Labyrinth and Maze series derives from my interest in the tension of strength versus fragility and as I exaggerate the scale to push the work towards the edge of physical collapse, this theme becomes more potent.

Each Labyrinth is constructed sectionally and secured on steel plinths in order to drive the work into a human-scale relationship.I reveal the copper tabbed seams of each section as a nuance of strength and allow light movement through the many surface perforations, to evolve a perceived fragility: undulating forms, movement of clay and light with a constant exploration of shaled and ledged formations - a metaphor for life's layers.

The Maze series, smaller in scale, is an investigation into themes of chaos and beauty: the strength required for negotiating the paths between interior and exterior worlds.Whereas the Labyrinths series contains light, letting it go through many organized channels and surface perforations, the Maze series releases through chaotic passageways.

Working with clay influences my printmaking, encouraging an unorthodox approach of tearing, perforation and drawing back into the prints. The monoprints incorporate drypoint onto plates composed of industrial copper sheeting that I stitch and reconstruct, allowing for unlimited large-scale imagery. The copper ties give a second reading of organic tracings and reaffirm perceptions of fragility and transience.
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Lineage I
27 x 21 Inches  (paper size)
Monoprint
$1800 (Unframed)
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Lineage I (detail)
27 x 21 Inches  (paper size)
Monoprint
$1800 (Unframed)
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Lineage III
27 x 21 Inches  (paper size)
Monoprint
$1800 (Unframed)
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Lineage III (detail)
27 x 21 Inches  (paper size)
Monoprint
$1800 (Unframed)
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Navigation XI
38 x 36 Inches  (paper size)
Monoprint
$3000 (Unframed)
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Navigation XI (detail)
38 x 36 Inches  (paper size)
Monoprint
$3000 (Unframed)
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Navigation XII
38 x 36 Inches  (paper size)
Monoprint
$3000 (Unframed)
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Lineage III
38 x 24 Inches  (paper size)
Monoprint
$2200 (Unframed)
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Lineage IV
38 x 24 Inches  (paper size)
Monoprint
$2200 (Unframed)


Education
1981       Central Technical School of Art, Toronto, Fine Arts Diploma
1986       Cleveland Institute of Art, Ohio, U.S.A., BFA Printmaking/Ceramics Minor
1985       Lacoste School of Art, France, Sculpture, Printmaking, Painting


Grants, Awards
2010    CANADA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS, Project Grant
2009    CEBIKO, Korean International Clay Biennale, Honourable Mention
           ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL, Project Grant, Clay
2008    ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL, Exhibition Assistance Grant, Tom Thomson Memorial Art Gallery
           RCA, ROYAL CANADIAN ACADEMY OF THE ARTS
2007    CANADA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS, Travel Grant, Fuping, China
           IAC, INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF CERAMICS
           ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL, Visual Arts Project Grant, Clay
2006    ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL, Exhibition Assistance Grant, Burlington Art Centre
2004    ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL, Crafts Grant, Clay
           ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL, Exhibition Assistance Grant, Prime Gallery, Solo
2002    ERNST & YOUNG GREAT CANADIAN PRINTMAKING COMPETITION, 2nd Prize, Juried
2001    WINIFRED SHANTZ AWARD, Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery, First Prize, Juried
1997    NICK NOVAK SCHOLARSHIP, Printmaking tenure, Open Studio, Toronto
           ERNST & YOUNG GREAT CANADIAN PRINTMAKING COMPETITION, Hon. Mention, Juried
1996    ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL, Grant, Printmaking
1995    ONTARIO CRAFT ‘95, Tucker’s Pottery Supplies Award, Clay
           WORKS ON PAPER V, Print Award, Stouffville
1994    ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL, Craftsmen Grant, Clay
           ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL, Exhibition Assistance Grant
           SHEILA HUGH MACKAY FOUNDATION GRANT, New Brunswick, Clay
1993    ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL, Craftsmen Grant, Clay
1992    ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL, Exhibition Assistance Grant
1991    ROYAL DOULTON AWARD, Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Clay
1990    HENNIGAR PURCHASE AWARD, The Koffler Gallery, Toronto
1987    ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL Craftsmen Grant, Clay
1986    AGNES GUND MEMORIAL AWARD, First Place, BFA Show, Cleveland
1985    SCHOLARSHIP, Lacoste School of Art, France
1983    HONORARY SCHOLARSHIP, 1983-85, Cleveland Institute of Art


2011     CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY, Artist Talk, Ceramics Department for Jean Pierre LaRoque
2010     GARDINER MUSEUM OF CERMAIC ART, Artist Talk, Israel
            TORONTO POTTERS, Toronto, Artist Talk, Israel
2009     LECTURES/WORKSHOPS, Israel, Tel Aviv Art Museum & University
            INVITATION by Ceramic Artists Association of Israel and Binyamini Foundation for Ceramic Art
2008     CANADIAN CLAY AND GLASS GALLERY, Waterloo, Artist Talk, The Great Draw of China
            GARDINER MUSEUM OF CERAMIC ART, Artist Talk, The Great Draw of China
2007     CHINA: Fuping, FULE International Ceramic Art Museums, Invitation, October-November
            MOCCA, Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art, Studio visit, Betty Ann Jordan Host
2006     SHERIDAN COLLEGE, Artist Talk
            TORONTO OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITION, Juror, Decorative Arts.      
            BURLINGTON ART CENTRE, Burlington, On. Artist Talk
            TORONTO POTTER’S, Toronto, Artist Talk
            ONTARIO COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN, Toronto, Slide Lecture
2005     CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY, Montreal, Slide Lecture
2003     GARDINER MUSEUM OF CERAMIC ART, Slide Lecture
            CHINA: JINGDEZHEN SANBAO ART INSTITUTE, Residency, September-November
            CHINA: HANGZHOU ART & DESIGN ACADEMY, Slide Lecture
2010       SEVRES PORCELAIN MUSEUM, International Academy of Ceramics, image #146
2009       CEBIKO, 5th World Ceramic Biennale, Korea, International, Catalogue pg.111
2009       CONTEMPORARY CERAMICS, Emmanuel Cooper, 2 photos pg. 89. Thames & Hudson
2009       FUSION MAGAZINE, Exhibition Review, Traverse, Tom Thomson Memorial Art Gallery, Gil McElroy
              CANADIAN HOUSE & HOME MAGAZINE, Print Credit, March issue
2008       CERAMICS TECHNICAL, Australia, “Canadians in China”, Kristen den Hartog, Issue 27
2007       CERAMICS: ART & PERCEPTION, Australia, Review, Kristen den Hartog, Impluvium, spring issue
              ESPACE SCULPTURE MAGAZINE, Montreal, Review, Virginia Eichhorn, Impluvium, spring Issue
2006       SLATE GALLERY GUIDE, Toronto, Cover, and summer issue
              ARTPOST.ON.LINE, Walking the Line 10: Review, Gary Michael Dault, June
              CERAMIC REVIEW MAGAZINE, International Feature, Kristen den Hartog “Air & Grace”, issue 220,
              TRIALOGUE, Catalogue, Introduction, Kristen den Hartog, April
              PALM BEAACH 3, Catalogue, photo credit, January
2005       ERNST & YOUNG, Great Canadian Printmaking Commemorative 10th Anniversary Book
              CANADIAN HOUSE & HOME, Print work credit, 12/05
2003       STYLE AT HOME MAGAZINE, Tile Fireplace credit, October issue
2002       CANADIAN ART MAGAZINE, Feature: Printwork, summer issue
              CENTURY HOME MAGAZINE, Tile Credit, February/March 2002 issue
2001       THE WATERLOO RECORD, “Toronto Artist Wins Award”, article, 11/01
2000       LITERARY REVIEW OF CANADA, Cover Art/Editorial Printwork, Vol.8 No.5, June 2000
              CANADIAN HOUSE & HOME MAGAZINE- Tile Fireplace credit, Paper Pillow Printwork, 10/99
1998       TORONTO STAR NEWSPAPER- “Versatility Allows Artist To Make A Living”, feature 08/29/98
              CANADIAN HOUSE & HOME MAGAZINE- Tile Fireplace credit, 05/98 & 10/98
1997       FUSION MAGAZINE- Contributing Reviewer- Card /Tetu at The Gardiner Museum, summer issue.
              FAMILY LIVING MAGAZINE, “Splash Back”, Tile Work, 09/97
              THE DINI PETTY SHOW, Clay Artist Feature, CFTO -TV, Toronto            
              CANADIAN HOUSE & HOME MAGAZINE, Renovation Issue, Artisan Feature, 03/97
1996       CONTACT MAGAZINE, Contributing Book review, Alan Caiger-Smith: “Pottery, People & Time” 06/96
1995       ONTARIO CRAFT MAGAZINE, Exhibition Catalogue, Spring 1995
              FUSION MAGAZINE, Summer Issue, Gardiner Museum Exhibition Review
1994       FLETCHER CHALLENGE CERAMIC AWARD, Exhibition Catalogue Feature, New Zealand       
1993       CONTACT MAGAZINE, Spring Issue, Prime Gallery Exhibition Review      


Selected Collections
ARTHUR ANDERSEN
BATA SHOE MUSEUM
CONCORD CONFECTIONERS
DONALDA CLUB  
ERNST & YOUNG
CANADIAN CLAY & GLASS GALLERY
QUEEN ELIZABETH HOTEL (MTL)
BURLINGTON ART CENTRE
FULE International, Canadian Museum, China
CROWN COLLECTION of the Official
Residencies of Canada, Rideau Hall
MIRVISH COLLECTION
KILMER VAN NOSTRAND
KOFFLER GALLERY  
ONTARIO SECURITIES COMMISSION                        
SHORE, TILBE, IRWIN & PARTNERS
KAMM COLLECTION
BANK OF MONTREAL
GLADSTONE HOTEL
OPEN STUDIO/ ARCHIVES
GREENSPAN, HUMPHRIES, LEVINE
GARDINER MUSEUM OF CERAMIC ART
TRUMP TOWER. MIAMI, U.S.A.
TOM THOMSON MEMORIAL GALLERY

            ICHEON, KOREA, World Ceramic Centre


Selected Exhibitions
2011  
• WEISS GALLERY, Calgary, Alberta, “New Clay & Prints” Solo, Clay & Prints
• CANADIAN CLAY & GLASS GALLERY, On. Group Invitational, “Groundbreakers in Canadian Clay”

2010  
• SEVRES PORCELAIN MUSEUM, Paris, France, International Academy of Ceramics, group, Clay

2009  
• CEBIKO, 5th World Ceramic Biennale, Korea, International, Juried.
• BURLINGTON ART CENTRE, Burlington, Ont. Group Invitational “Drawn to Clay” Clay & Prints
• WEISS GALLERY, Calgary, Alberta, “New Work” Solo Clay & Prints
• OENO Gallery, Picton, Ontario, Solo “Labyrinths” Clay & Prints.

2008  
• SOFA CHICAGO, Andora Gallery, Chicago, New Work, Feature, Clay
• TOM THOMSON MEMORIAL GALLERY, Owen Sound, On. “Traverse” Solo, Clay & Prints
• SOFA NYC, Andora Gallery, Chicago, New Work, Feature, Clay
• BORELLI-EDWARDS GALLERY, Pittsburgh, Penn., Group, NCECA
• ANDORA GALLERY, Chicago, Ill. Group Exhibition, Group, Clay

2007  
• CANADIAN CLAY & GLASS GALLERY< Waterloo, “Deductions” 2 person, Clay & Prints
• ONTARIO CRAFTS COUNCIL, A Vital Mix: Celebrating 30 years, Toronto, Group, Clay

2006  
• PALM BEACH 3, International Art Fair, Palm Beach Florida, Galerie Elena Lee, Clay
• OENO GALLERY, PE County, Ontario, “Trialogue”, Solo, Prints, Clay, Copper
• DAVID KAYE GALLERY, Toronto, Group & Solo, Prints, Clay
• BURLINGTON ARTS CENTRE, “Courtyard Installation”, Solo, Clay
• SOFA, NYC, Barbara Silverberg, Montreal, Que. Clay & Copper, group.

2005  
• GALERIE ELENA LEE, Montreal, “Sway”, Solo, Clay, Prints
• GLADSTONE HOTEL, “Racine Room”, Permanent Artist Room, Clay

2004  
• PRIME GALLERY, Toronto, “Remains”, Solo Exhibition, Clay
• OPEN STUDIO, Toronto, “New Work”, Solo, Prints
• CANADIAN CLAY & GLASS GALLERY, Waterloo, Moiré”, Solo, Clay
• CAMBRIDGE GALLERIES, Cambridge, “Fibreworks”, Group, Juried, Copper   

2003  
• BURLINGTON ARTS CENTRE, Burlington, Teapots: Art of Craft, Group Show, Clay
• GARDINER MUSEUM OF CERAMIC ART, Toronto, ”The Artful Teapot”, Clay

2002  
• RED HEAD GALLERY, Toronto, “Static”, Group Invitational, Copper Sculpture
• EDWARD DAY GALLERY, Toronto, Ernst & Young Exhibition “Threshold”, Juried, Prints

2001  
• TATAR ALEXANDER GALLERY, Toronto, “Range of Vision”, Group, Print

2000  
• THE GARDINER MUSEUM OF CERAMIC ART, Toronto, Group Invitational, Clay   

1999  
• SOFA, Chicago, USA, Mobilia Gallery Invitational, Clay
• MOBILIA GALLERY, Boston, USA, “The Great Balancing Act”, Invitational, Clay
• AVANTE GALLERY, Cleveland, USA, Group Invitational, Clay

1998  
• OPEN STUDIO, Nick Novak Scholarship Exhibition, Two-Person, Prints

1997  
• GREAT CANADIAN PRINTMAKING COMPETITION, Ernst & Young, National Juried

1995  
• ONTARIO CRAFTS COUNCIL, Toronto, “Ontario Craft ‘95” Juried, Clay
• PRIME GALLERY, Toronto, “Black/White”, Invitational, Prints/Clay
• LATCHAM GALLERY, Stouffville, Ontario, “Works on Paper V”, Juried  
• ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO, Contemporary Canadian Printmakers, Rental Gallery

1994  
• THE GARDINER MUSEUM, Toronto, Solo Exhibition, Clay
• FLETCHER CHALLENGE CERAMICS AWARD, New Zealand, International Juried, Clay

1992  
• PRIME GALLERY, Toronto, “New Work”, Solo Exhibition, Prints/Clay

1990  
• THE KOFFLER GALLERY, Toronto, “Invitational Group Show”, Clay
• THE GARDINER MUSEUM, Toronto, “From Funk to Functional” Juried, Clay