Kirsten Abrahamson facts for kids
Kirsten Lillian Abrahamson is a Canadian artist and teacher. She is famous for making ceramic and mixed-media sculptures. Kirsten was born on June 16, 1960, in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.. She later became a Canadian citizen. She studied ceramics, glassblowing, and sculpture at the University of Calgary and the Alberta College of Art and Design. Kirsten has two children.
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About Kirsten Abrahamson
Kirsten Abrahamson was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1960. When she was in high school, she moved to Canada with her family. She later became a Canadian citizen. Kirsten went to Calgary, Alberta, to study art. She earned special diplomas in ceramics and glassblowing.
She also attended summer art classes at The Banff School of Fine Arts in Banff, Alberta. Later, she went to the University of Calgary. There, she earned a degree in fine arts, focusing on ceramics in 1987. She then got a master's degree in sculpture in 1990. Kirsten also worked as an artist-in-residence at the Alberta College of Art and Design and the Banff Centre.
Kirsten lives in Ontario, Canada, with her family. She has a daughter born in 1995 and a son born in 1996. She loves animals, especially cats. She helps support groups like Kitchener Stray Cat Rescue.
Her Art and Style
Kirsten Abrahamson is a well-known Canadian artist. She creates figurative ceramic and mixed-media sculptures. Her art often tells stories about her own life. It also shows influences from history, symbols, cultural customs, and traditions. She often uses recycled materials in her work. This shows her care for the environment.
Kirsten has worked with many different art forms. These include glassblowing, pottery, and sculpture. Her art explores ideas about who we are and our personal experiences. It also looks at how culture and history connect. Her sculptures often show a mix of different cultures.
One of her projects, the Redwork project, explores her family history. It also looks at how art can help with emotional healing. Kirsten's art often shows how personal feelings connect with bigger stories in society.
Inspired by Mexico
In 1993, Kirsten visited Mexico. She experienced the Day of the Dead festival. This trip greatly influenced her art. After this, she created an exhibition called Revival. Later, she had another show called Days of the Dead. In these shows, she used the symbols from the festival.
Kirsten has a deep understanding of ceramic art. She learned many skills from the 19th to the 21st century. Her most famous work is Diary of a River. This piece has been studied by art experts.
Art critic Carol Podedworny said Kirsten's work is like the "California Funk and Bay Area Ceramics" style. She noted that Kirsten's art is "bold, satirical and colourful." It often tells a story and shows her personal thoughts. She uses special clay and glazes that allow her to make large, bright sculptures.
Another art expert, Virginia Eichorn, wrote about Diary of a River. She said Kirsten's studio work uses her own life experiences to create ceramic art. The Alberta Foundation for the Arts bought Diary of a River for its permanent collection. They also own several of her other artworks.
Kirsten's ceramic art is featured in several important art books. One book is Gail Crawford's Studio Ceramics in Canada. This book talks about Canadian ceramic art and artists. Her glazing work has also been shown in books by potter Robin Hopper. In 2012, her work was featured in Ceramics Monthly magazine.
Kirsten's art was shown in 5 out of 10 National Biennial of Ceramics exhibitions. At the 10th Biennial, she won the "Prix Du Public" award. This was a big national show for ceramic artists.
Teaching and Community Work
Kirsten Abrahamson is also an important art educator. She has taught at many schools. These include the University of Calgary, Red Deer College, and the University of Waterloo. Currently, she teaches Colour Theory and Painting at Sheridan College in Ontario.
She also leads the Sheridan Art Hives initiative. This project helps the community be creative using recycled materials. Kirsten believes that creativity can help people feel better. She also thinks using recycled materials helps the environment.
Awards and Recognition
Kirsten's art has won many awards and grants. In 2002, she received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Alberta College of Art and Design. Her sculptures have been shown in exhibitions all over Canada and in other countries. Her work is also part of public art collections.
- In 2016, she was one of 30 alumni honored by the University of Calgary Art Department. Her work was displayed at the Nickle Gallery.
- She won the Prix du Public at the 10th National Biennial of Ceramics in Quebec in 2002.
- She received the Distinguished Alumni Award of Excellence in 2002.
- In 1992, she won 2nd Prize in the Fit for a King exhibition at the Gardiner Museum in Toronto.
Exhibitions and Public Collections
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Kirsten Abrahamson's art has been shown in many places. These include Alberta, other parts of Canada, and internationally. Her work is part of several public collections. She is recognized for her important contributions to the Canadian art scene.
Her work can be found in collections at:
- The Burlington Art Centre, Burlington, Ontario
- The Banff Centre for the Arts, Banff, Alberta
- The Nickle Arts Museum at the University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta
- The Claridge Collection, Montreal, Quebec
- The Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Edmonton, Alberta
- Alberta College of Art + Design Permanent Collection, Calgary, Alberta
- The City of Calgary Civic Art Collection, Calgary, Alberta
Her art has also been shown in international exhibitions. These include shows in the United States (like San Diego, California; Minneapolis, Minnesota; New York, New York; and San Angelo, Texas). Her work has also been shown overseas in Taipei, Taiwan; and Prague, Czechoslovakia.
Solo Exhibitions
Kirsten has had many solo exhibitions. These shows highlight how her art continues to grow.
- Queue at Jonathon Bancroft Snell Gallery, in October 2015.
- Her major work, Diary: of a River, was first shown in Calgary, Alberta. It then traveled to the London Regional Museum and Art Gallery and the University of Waterloo Gallery in 2004–2005.
- The 2002 Feature exhibition at the Harbinger Gallery of Waterloo.
- The 1994 Revival exhibition at the Muttart Gallery (now the Art Gallery of Calgary).
- Her Personal Mythologies exhibition in 1990 at The Nickle Arts Museum of the University of Calgary.
- The Personal Mythologies of Dee Dee Alteridem shown in 1990 at the University of Calgary Little Gallery.
- Accidental Solo exhibited in 1989 at the Canadian Art Gallery of Calgary.
- I Love A Parade presented by the Muttart Gallery (now the Art Gallery of Calgary).
Community Engagement
Kirsten is very involved in community projects. She works with Art Hives at Sheridan College. There, she works with students and local people. She believes that being creative can help people's well-being. She especially likes using recycled materials to help both people and the environment.
See also
List of Canadian artists
Images for kids
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Ceramic Robots on display at Jonathon Bancroft Snell Gallery, London, Ontario. October 2015, Kirsten Abrahamson.
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Ceramic Robots on display at Jonathon Bancroft Snell Gallery, London, Ontario. October 2015, Kirsten Abrahamson.
