Invited Guest

Rachel de Condé

Rachel de Condé

Nova Scotia

Bio:

Rachel de Condé began pursuing ceramics after receiving her MFA in 2008 from the University of Washington and a BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD University). Having lived, studied, and travelled coast to coast in North America, she returned to the Maritimes in early 2009 and in 2020, built a permanent studio on her hobby farm. de Condé has participated in a number of solo and group exhibitions in Canada and the United States, most recently at Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts. Since 2014, she has been Regular Part-Time faculty and Assistant Professor (2023-24) at NSCAD University. She is the owner and operator of Rachel de Condé Ceramics, designing and producing ceramic ware that is sold throughout the Maritimes, through brick-and-mortar shops, craft shows and her own studio shop.

Artist Statement:

It’s hard not to find inspiration from the colors and textures in my surrounding natural environment. I find myself in awe of the beauty that surrounds me, not only in my vegetable gardens, but while working on my honeybees or walking a forest trail surrounded by mosses, babbling brooks and vibrant plant colours. Using these as a starting point, I combine different elements with my varied interests in the rich world of contemporary and historical ceramics to design new and unique pieces. Mold making and slip casting has a rich history, albeit as a more industrial technique. By co-opting the technology and combing it with rich surface decoration, I aim to make work that is engaging and accessible to a wider audience.