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Sterling Silver and Enamel Pendant
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Artist’s Statement
As a narrative artist, I often employ recognizable imagery in order to capture, preserve, and share fragments of my personal experience. My pieces are intimate tributes to my many passions, and to the inspiration I find in my everyday environment, whether I am sitting alone on a fire tower, swimming in the sea of humanity, or sweating in a Madrid dance studio. The imagery I employ is as varied as life itself: abstracted plant forms, teacups & teapots, girl’s 50s style party dresses, animals, and even miniature hand tools!
Whether my work is born from childhood memories, my previous experience as a ceramist, my extensive travels, my forays into nontraditional work for women, or the hours spent in my flower garden, it is also part of the collective experience; often appealing to the viewer’s own experience, sense of humor, or nostalgia.
Formally, I am interested in colour and contrast, rhythm and repetition, and the amalgamation of numerous component parts to create a cohesive whole. Detail and decoration function as expressions of meaning or intent.
Biography
Joan Irvin is an interdisciplinary artist, and self-proclaimed “Renaissance woman.” Originally trained as a ceramic artist, Joan holds two degrees, with distinction, in the Visual Arts (University of Calgary 1982 & Alberta College of Art & Design 2002). She has additionally studied at Helsinki’s Kalliolan Vapaaopisto, the Banff Centre, and Penland School of Crafts.
While Joan’s artistic career has spanned both the Visual and Performing Arts, her current focus is Jewellery & Metals. Her award-winning narrative metal works have been exhibited in Western Canada, the United States, Europe, and Japan.
Joan currently divides her time between her own studio practice, and teaching. She has delivered metals courses and lectures for the Alberta College of Art & Design, Kootenay School of the Arts, Red Deer College (Summerscapes), the Calgary Board of Education, Rockyview School District, and other institutions.
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