Photo courtesy of www.penland.org

Steven Heinemann's ceramic vessel "Terra Negra" was decorated through multiple firings. Heinemann will display his artistic techniques today at the UA.

Wednesday October 17, 2001

Toronto-based artist demonstrates clay techniques today

While Canadians seem to be the butt of many American jokes, some artists up north enrich the lives of Americans.

Steven Heinemann, one such Canadian ceramicist, will share his wisdom with University of Arizona students today through demonstrations, workshops and a slideshow.

"Much of my work has evolved out of an interest in pottery, particularly in 'pottery space' - interior, self-contained - a locus for the imagination," Heinemann said in a press release. "I have come to recognize that clay, as an organic material with a long history of human use, can offer a substantial link to both the natural and cultural worlds, to historical as well as geological time."

Heinemann further explained his profound interest in ceramics on a Web site featuring his work at www.penland.org.

"I'm interested in the character of contained space and see the interiors of these vessels as a kind of terrain over which you can roam," Heinemann said on the site. "It is also protected space in which your attention is concentrated, perhaps held for a time."

UA ceramics professor, Aurore Chabot, said Heinemann's presentation includes "demonstrations about making and using plaster press molds to produce large, evocative vessels - (Heinemann) will discuss his philosophical and technical approaches as he demonstrates his work process."

She added that because Heinemann's work is virtually unknown in the American Southwest, she hopes students come to see his presentations today and develop a new interest in his artistic techniques.

"Artists often give demonstrations or workshops and slide lectures, especially in the ceramics world," Chabot said. "(His slide lecture) will be about his work over a period of time to the present, plus, possibly, sources of inspiration and influences on his development as an artist."

Chabot's students said because her advanced and intermediate ceramics falls at the same time as the workshops, they will attend Heinemann's presentations.

"(I hope people) learn something about how to approach art making that (they) can use in their own work - be inspired - be turned on more to ceramic art," Chabot said.

Studio arts graduate student Annabel Pitts said she currently knows little about Heinemann and his work. Through his workshop, she hopes to gain some insight into how other artists work.

"(I want) to see a whole new way of doing stuff," Pitts said, "to see how other people create their art."

Fine arts sophomore Evan Smith, another of Chabot's students, said his knowledge of Heinemann's work is limited as well.

Photo courtesy of www.penland.org

Steven Heinemann's untitled pinched earthenware vessel features a white floral design. Heinemann will demonstrate his ceramics techniques today at UA through a workshop demonstration and slide presentation.

"I only know, right now, (that) he has done very large vessels (and) large sculpture work," Smith said.

He said he hopes to gain knowledge and artistic experience not currently included in the UA fine arts curricula.

A video about Steven Heinemann will show at 11 a.m. today in the ceramics lab and studio, 1200 N. Mountain Ave., followed by a demonstration and discussion about making and using plaster press molds. The demonstration lasts until 4 p.m. Call 621-2136 for more information about participating in the demonstration.

Heinemann's slide lecture will begin at 5:15 p.m. and is open to the public. The slide presentation will take place in the Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering building, Room S202, at the northeast corner of North Mountain Avenue and East Speedway Boulevard.

As of Thursday, Chabot said room remained for about 10 more participants in the demonstration portion of Heinemann's presentation. All events are free.