 John Cloutier |
The works of ceramic artist John Cloutier have become a focal point of major exhibitions throughout Western Canada.
Unlike other successful artists, however, he is known for his constantly changing style, the result of continual experimentation with new images, shapes and methods.
John came from a family of Saskatchewan artists, father Paul and sister Jennette are well known Painters. In 1972 while Attending University the musty smell of the clay room prompted a switch to ceramics and in 1985 began firing in Raku.
The artist's ceramic method is Raku, an ancient Japanese art of firing which produces sculptures with unique glazes and a characteristic black clay body.
"I love the spontaneity of the medium, the combination from delicate and sophisticated to rough and primitive - all within the same piece. When you fire a piece, you never know how it's going to turn out."
An accomplished chef and fly fisherman, Cloutier is inspired by many different subjects. "I am an observer of shapes - in buildings, interior design, or something as simple as a tree branch or a bent-over lamp post." He is also greatly influenced by the art and spiritualism of the West Coast Indians. "When I'm feeling more formal, I may look back at ancient Greek or Egyptian art work on the wheel. I hand build more abstract pieces.
A fellow artist Alex Fong, an innovative water colorist asked me in the summer of 1999 to do a show with him, with works that represent the history of the Okanagan, a region of Canada best known for orchards and vineyards.
Since apples were one of the major sources of the success in this region in the early years I thought I would focus on the "Apple".
John has been seen for many years in the Artists' Pavilion at the Calgary Stampede. John's work was seen recently at the Hambleton Galleries in Kelowna, B.C. He has done a number of commissioned pieces for various individuals and organizations.
Be sure to visit John's website to view more of his incredable clay work!
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clay etc...by Cloutier
333 E. 8th Ave
New Westminster, BC
Canada, V3L 4K7
Phone: (604) 524-1942
E-mail: lorna_cloutier@telus.net Website:http://www3.telus.net/clay_etc/
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