Ellesmere

About Ellesmere

Inspired by the rugged landscape of Canada’s north—Ellesmere (named for the island in Nunavut) is a gorgeous creamy white ceramic object. The exterior is smooth and appears almost polished, the interior features Heinemann’s signature use of finely detailed craquelure.
Working from a converted barn near the village of Cookstown, Ontario the much-celebrated ceramicist’s work often explores the natural world and its ancient history. In doing so, Heinemann has re-defined the limits of ceramic art.

“There’s something about the interior of a bowl that I can’t quite fathom. Experientially, it's a distinct form, say, a painting where you gaze ahead of you to a flat expanse of fixed orientation. And 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.