WAG FEATURES CERAMIC ARTIST DUANE PERKINS

Tuesday, 03 April 2007 21:42

WINNIPEG, MB,Canada - For three decades sculptor Duane Perkins has been a vital presence in Winnipeg’s vibrant artistic community.  Duane Perkins 60/40, opening at The Winnipeg Art gallery on April 13, honours Perkins on the occasion of his 60th birthday and 40 years of working with clay. The exhibition continues until July 8 at the Winnipeg Art Gallery.

Moving to Winnipeg from Chicago in 1971, Perkins opened a ceramics studio, Euphoria, which served as artists’ studios, a store, and a classroom for ceramics.  This “lively centre of clay activity” ran for 14 years until Perkins moved his studio to his home.

Perkins’ vessels, wheel-thrown and reduction-fired, are beautifully composed both formally and decoratively.  The firing technique leads to muted, subtle color variations within the glazes, skillfully worked into abstracted designs recalling vegetation such as scattered leaves, twisting vines, and unopened buds.  Other works suggest the rich colors and patterns of oriental fabrics.  Over the past decade, Perkins has increased the dimensions of his broad-rimmed platters, flared bowls, and vases of soaring heights.  Their size contrasts with the decoration which mirrors the delicacy of the porcelain body.

This exhibition honours the national Craft Year 2007.  The Gallery Shoppes will also be celebrating Craft Year 2007 by featuring new work by Duane Perkins and other fine craft artists. 

Established in 1912, the Winnipeg Art Gallery is Western Canada’s oldest public art gallery, mandated to develop and maintain Manitoba’s visual arts heritage.  As one of Canada’s leading galleries, it collects and exhibits works of art by Manitoba, Canadian, and international artists.  More information on all WAG exhibitions and programs can be found at www.wag.mb.ca