SUE HARA

          Sue Hara is one of the premier ceramic artists in the Pacific Northwest and her reputation is known world wide. She has made functional and decorative pieces for 25 years in a rich vocabulary of techniques and styles, from utilitarian to abstract.

          She was born and educated in England, studying art at Croydon College of Art. In 1968 she immigrated to Canada. Her studies thereon were at the Banff School of Fine Art, Victoria College of Art, Atlin School of Art, Sheridan College and Metchosin School of the Arts. Her many styles and techniques range from fine porcelain to large garden pieces. She currently works with a primitive kiln, which is instrumental in the wonderful surface patterns on her works.

          Her work can be found in private collections throughout the world as well as many public collections. Her works have been shown in solo, group, and juried exhibitions across Canada, Europe, and the United States. More specifically, A Show of Hands Gallery, North York; The B.C. Gallery of Ceramics, Vancouver; The Works Festival, Victoria. Harbinger Gallery; the Richmond Art Center, Richmond B.C., Terminal Three at Toronto’s Pearson Airport, and the George Gardiner Museum of Ceramics in Toronto.

          Ms. Hara has been widely published throughout the world. She has been featured in “Made of Clay – Ceramics of British Columbia”, and “Studio Ceramics in Canada 1920-2005” by Gail Crawford.

         The two pieces featured in this gallery have similarities, but are also worlds apart. The wood fired Ikebana vase is a wonderful example of a very refined style. The other ‘bowl’ festooned high in the air by a labyrinth of totally abstract extrusions is at the other end of her sensibilities. Either one would an enviable addition to a sophisticated art collection, especially one that focuses on documented artists.