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Loraine Drewell

“From the heart, the head and the hands, and with a voice of clay, I wish to record stories of the human experience.

To this end, clay is the perfect medium, for it responds readily to shaping, similar to the way that life’s experiences mould a person’s character. Fired clay seems ageless, yet its inherent fragility
is reminiscent of premature death, and is a constant reminder of the care required for life’s preservation.

I find it very stimulating to observe human life and the natural world, for they reveal such a rich diversity of forms, psyches and actions. This diversity inspires me, so that the translation of my ideas into works of clay becomes a fascinating and absorbing adventure into shapes, textures
and colour.

Once an idea takes root, the shape evolves without hesitation. Texturing the clay surface gives
me a sense of direct communication. It satisfies my love for detail while meaningfully transferring the nuances of human realities to the clay. Glazing also plays an important part for it adds textures and the energy and emotion of colour to the pieces. I find myself especially drawn to the capriciousness and subtleties of the textures and colour that result from raku-fired the clay. For me, raku is provocative and captivating, and mirrors the unpredictability of the human condition.”

Solo and Joint Exhibitions

1998 The Human Condition, Foyer Gallery, solo

2004 Earthbound: The Force Within…, Foyer Gallery, Focus Show

2007 Elemental Perception, Foyer Gallery, Focus show

Group Exhibitions

1997 to present Numerous group exhibitions at the Foyer Gallery

2004 First Light, Atrium Gallery, Ben Franklin Place

2002 Foyer Focus, Centrepointe Theatre Gallery

1998 Spring Exhibition, Ottawa Guild of Potters Juried Exhibition

1998 11-11 Clayworks Gallery, Ottawa

1998 The Collective Arts, Foyer Gallery, Nepean, Ontario

1997 The Collective Arts, Foyer Gallery

1995 Still Life, Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, Waterloo, Ontario

1994 Ottawa Guild of Potters Juried Exhibition

1993 Inspirations in Clay, Ottawa Guild of Potters Juried Exhibition

Private Collections

Canada: Ontario, British Colombia, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Germany, Switzerland,
England, Scotland