Paula Murray, Contemporary, Bowl, Ceramic, Baby Blue Porcelain, 2012

A contemporary porcelain bowl of the ‘Radiant Acquiescence’ series by world renowned ceramic artist, Paula Murray. Direct from the artist’s personal collection.

Transformation is at the heart of Paula Murray’s practice. Porcelain is an ideally responsive material for exploring her themes of trauma/ resilience, control/ submission, and the dynamism of the visible/invisible. Her process results in forms, surface tensions,
and colours, whose beauty invites a visceral/visual understanding. Signed and dated, P Murray 2012.

Radiant Acquiescence: “I have been making bowls for many years. Bowls are often interpreted as a symbol for the cycle of life. This is a piece from my Healing Bowls Series, where fractured bowls are made whole again. Once the bowl is cast, and the stress of the process of its making has fragmented the once smooth symmetrical form it to the point of disintegration. Then I begin mending it, and as the open wounds are healed it regains its integrity. It is restored layer-by-layer, re-fired several times and polished. These bowls reflect the cycle of renewal and regeneration, physically, mentally, and spiritually.” – Paula Murray

Murray’s work has been gifted by the Canadian government to dignitaries such as US President George W. Bush and UN Secretary Kofi Annan. Murray’s pieces can be found in private and public collections including the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the Banff Centre, the Gardiner Museum, Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, the Official Residence of the Prime Minister in Canada and Canada House in London England.

Born in Ottawa, Paula Murray studied science at the University of Ottawa, ceramics at Sheridan College and completed two residencies at The Banff Centre before launching a successful career. Elected to the International Academy of Ceramics (2017), she has received multiple creation grants from The Canada Council and CALQ for her distinctive work. Living in Gatineau Park since 1980, her full-time studio practice has been inspired by her close relationship with nature, and the years spent sailing between Canada and South America raising her two children. Her discovery of the Baha’i Faith and ongoing study of spiritual writings inspire many of the themes explored in her work. Her practice embraces both discrete objects as well as installations. She exhibits nationally and internationally receiving awards and honourable mentions in prestigious exhibitions in Canada, Italy, France, China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Portugal, Romania and the USA. Public art commissions include “Nautilus”, a suspended porcelain sculpture for Ottawa City Hall. Public collections include the World Korean Ceramic Foundation Museum, Yingge Ceramic Museum Taiwan, Jingdezhen Ceramics University China, Museum of Ceramics, Faenza Italy, Canada House, London, UK, Racine Museum USA, and in Canada the Ottawa Art Gallery, Museum of History, Global Affairs the Art Bank.

Porcelain
Canada, 2012