Praxis

Praxis: remixing form with light

PJ Anderson

Aristotle held that there were three basic activities of man: theoria (thinking), poiesis (making), and praxis (doing). Each has an end goal: truth; production; action. Clay is a medium in which the potential is realized using all three activities, yet praxis binds them all. Without action nothing can be realized. Through the work in the show we aim to demonstrate the mastery of our craft and the process in which our ideas and theories are realized. The forms are strong, yet when affected by light they project a reflection of distorted reality and exaggerated dimensions.

Opening Reception: October 14, 7-10pm

Featured Artists: Elise Nadeau, Crystal Nykoluk, and PJ Anderson.

Elise Nadeau graduated from the University of Manitoba Fine Arts program with an honours degree in ceramics in 2009. She is the director of The Edge Clay Centre and The Edge Gallery which she cofounded with city councillor mike paktaghan Her work has a playful nature and a focus on fine detail and texture. She enjoys the functional aspect of ceramics and puts a unique twist on conventional forms.

PJ Anderson is an early career ceramic Artist from Thompson, Manitoba, Canada. PJ has shown internationally; as Resident Artist at the University of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa where she had previously visited as a Zulu ceramics researcher; in China as a finalist in the International Ceramic Magazine Editors Associations (ICMEA) emerging artist competition; and in the United States in various shows such as Craftforms at the Wayne Art Center and Unwedged at Pottery Northwest. Pj has lectured at both the University of Manitoba and the University of Kwazulu Natal. She teaches ceramics for the City of Winnipeg and has taught at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Her work can be found at the Winnipeg Art Gallery Shop, The Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba Shop and Grollé Gallery.

Crystal Nykoluk grew up in the small town of Anola and spent all her summers at a family cabin in the back country of the Ontario wilderness.  Her upbringing fostered an appreciation for nature and an interest in how humans change environments.  She moved to Winnipeg to complete her Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours degree and in 2008 graduated with a thesis in Ceramics from the University of Manitoba.  Crystal has been the Ceramic Technician at the The Winnipeg Art Gallery for the past seven years.  She founded the resident artist program at The Edge Gallery along with establishing The Edge Clay Centre’s ceramic class program.  Crystal has taught at The Winnipeg Art Gallery and at The Edge Clay Centre.  Her work has been shown internationally and across Canada.  Visit Crystal at her current studio to see where her art continues to evolve.