Bob Acton shares his conversation with the Canadian ceramic artist Janet Macpherson. She began studying ceramics at Sheridan College, in Toronto, ON Canada and for six years operated a studio practice making functional ceramics, participating in exhibitions, and selling her work at various Toronto galleries. In 2008 she began her MFA in ceramics at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio where she explored a more figurative approach to ceramics. Janet held an artist-in-residence/faculty position at Sheridan College in the 2012 Fall Semester, and was an artist in residence at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto from 2011 - 2014. In 2013 she was the recipient of the Winifred Shantz Award for Ceramics, given by Clay and Glass Gallery in Waterloo, Ontario, and in 2014 she was artist in residence at the Zentrum Fur Keramik in Berlin, Germany.
Jennifer's work explores the complicated relationship humans have with their physical bodies. My work explores this idea, specifically the denial of this physicality that was prevalent in my Catholic upbringing, while simultaneously asserting the body’s messy and powerful presence. This work is influenced by the history of Christianity, martyrdom, and the monstrous. Like the fragmentation of the martyred body, the monstrous body exhibits dissolution of parts, and shows in its disquieting form, hybridization, lack and excess.
You can find Jennifer at her website here: https://www.janetmacpherson.com/ and on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/janetmacpherson/
[00:00:00] I mean, the main thing for me was just working as much as you possibly can. And it's maybe going to have to come at some sacrifice where you, you know, renting a studio, but try and do that as inexpensively as possible. Work with a bunch of other people, you know. Things are much more expensive than they were when I left school in 2002. So I understand that it's really hard to do it. But if there's any way you can have a part time job instead of a full time job,
[00:00:28] or, you know, make your costs at your studio lower so that you can work more and just put as much energy as you can into that part of your life because it will pay off.
[00:00:48] Welcome to Color and Ceramics, the podcast for ceramic artists who want valuable ideas about using color from leading artists and world class experts.
[00:00:58] Here's your host, Bob Acton, a sculptor and ceramic artist who's fascinated with color and how potters, sculptors and artists use color in their work. Tune in as he talks with his guests about color, techniques and the impact of color on people and art itself.
[00:01:15] Hey, I'm Bob Acton and welcome to the Color and Ceramics podcast, episode number 23. It's been a great journey so far. We're almost up to a year of
[00:01:28] episodes and interviews with great ceramic artists around the world. And of course, we've got thousands of downloads from all over the planet. This has been very exciting for me to create new friendships and relationships with people around the world. And I hope you are enjoying these conversations as well.
[00:01:48] I want to introduce you to Janet McPherson. She is a Canadian ceramic artist, primarily working in sculpture and using a variety of clays, as you will hear about in the interview. I encourage you to check out her website and you'll see links to her website in the show notes as she has just gorgeous work. Enjoy the show.
[00:02:14] Thanks for listening to the Color and Ceramics podcast with Bob Acton and his guests. Please help others find the podcast by subscribing to this podcast wherever you find your podcasts, such as iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or other podcatchers. And don't forget to give us a review. We'll see you next time.
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