The sophisticated colours and textures of this blue bowl, by celebrated ceramicist Steven Heinemann, were created through a lengthy process. In this process, the artist fires a piece multiple times reworking the surface, inscribing it, polishing and glazing. For Heinemann, the idea of the bowl – which he has created in a variety of shapes, sizes, colours and textures – speaks to shared human experience.

“While you might say the bowl has this inherent modesty, it also offers a kind of theatre in which space can be activated, or some event takes place. In my case that seems to be tied to phenomena, pattern, somewhere between organic growth and geologic event.” Steven Heinemann

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