Studio 9 : Chantal Auger
pottery

Biography
I studied pottery at the Fine Arts and Applied Arts School in Aix-en-Provence, France, and at Cegep du Vieux-Montreal. I have worked for fifteen years in my own studio in Saint-Mathieu-de-Laprairie and four years as production manager in a ceramic enterprise in Belgium. Back in Montreal since 1998, I have been the production assistant in Louise Bousquet's porcelain studio, and have installed a new studio of my own. I have taught the art and craft of throwing on the potter's wheel at the Saidye Bronfman School of Fine Arts from 2000 until now.

For one part of my pottery making, I use a mixture of commercial porcelain colored with a natural clay which I dig myself in a brook beside my house, respectfully, from the womb of Mother Earth. It is the same clay which I use as a glaze, revealing its pure dark brown color mixed to a salt base glaze reminiscent of our precious land or, mixed with wood ashes, of a bright and deep ochre. Inspired by Gaétan Beaudin last research, I use his unpublished salt glaze formula called Glinter. I apply the glazes on the raw ware and fire only once in an electric kiln. Raw ware glazing is a manual demanding and unique technique. The firing will, in the end, reveal it all, thanks to its unique alchemical power.

I also work with pure porcelain, mainly throwing dishes, vases, plates, bowls, all related to food preparing, serving, eating. I am deeply concerned about the quality of my work since my objective is to make objects which will be used and appreciated in an everyday context. Besides selling directly at my studio, my products are sold at Camellia Sinensis, Maison de thé in Montréal, and in pottery events in Val-David and Mystic.

I also realize one of a kind collections as the DALLAIRE project which has been exhibited in Mont St-Hilaire Museum, Hull Galerie Montcalm and Montreal Fine Arts Museum. Some pieces of this collection are to be shown this fall in Vermont at the Shelburne Art Center Gallery.

I moved to Grand Calumet Island in the Pontiac county this spring. I plan to spend the rest of my life here. The installation of my studio will be finished by next spring and I will be ready to welcome visitors, amateurs and potentially, students.

Contact/studio information:
12 chemin Letts | Île-du Grand-Calumet, Québec | J0X 1J0
819.648.2072 | latnaq@hotmail.com

GPS: N45 45.439 W76 39.248