Robin DuPont
Atmospheric Woodfired Vessels
Known for: fine art ceramic pieces + atmospheric wood firing.
"Robin DuPont's pots exude the essence of aesthetic conviction, skillful discernment, clarity of strong form and a master's control of the flame path. He captures the atmosphere and turmoil of a wood or soda kiln to create a brushed magic on the surfaces of his pots; pots that embrace their inherent purpose to enhance daily life, authentic in their role to serve and undeniable in their sensuous beauty." - Katrina Chaytor, Ceramics Faculty, Alberta College of Art + Design, Calgary, Alberta.
Robin DuPont and Christine Pedersen, "Fire In The Belly" (2 piece set), DuPont wood-fired porcelain jar (coiled and pinched with natural ash-glaze - pine, oak, fir, black poplar ash) with Pedersen sculptural metal crown (brass and bronze, made by hammer-forming, raising, and repoussé with hand-chased line-work, finished with oxidizing patina, heat patina, and wax), 13 x 10.5 x 8.25 inches (33 x 27 x 21 cm), image courtesy of Christine Pedersen, $975 Cdn.
Obelisk Vase (Small) #22.28, atmospheric woodfired porcelain, 7 x 11 x 5 inches (18 x 28 x 13 cm), 4 lbs, $245.00 Cdn.
Obelisk Vase (smallest) #22.27, atmospheric woodfired porcelain, 5.5 x 10 x 4 inches (14 x 25.5 x 10 cm), 2 lbs, $195.00 Cdn.
Bud Vase #22.21, woodfired stoneware, 3.5 x 5 inches (9 x 13 cm), 13.5 oz, $120.00 Cdn.
Atmospheric Woodfired Tumbler #22.13, porcelain, 5.75 x 3 inches (14.5 x 7.5 cm), wt. 13 oz, $50.00 Cdn.
Atmospheric Woodfired Tumbler #22.17, porcelain, 5.5 x 3.25 inches (14 x 8 cm), wt. 13 oz., $50.00 Cdn.
Atmospheric Woodfired Tumbler #22.16, porcelain, 5.5 x 3.25 inches (14 x 8 cm), wt. 13 oz., $50.00 Cdn.
Woodfired Yunomi #22.6 with turned foot, style of Japanese teacup for daily tea drinking, reduction cooled stoneware, without a handle, 4 x 3.5 inches (10 x 9 cm), wt. 12 oz., ideal for cradling in your hands to savour the warmth and aroma of your drink; if it is too hot to handle it is too hot to drink, $50.00 Cdn.
Large Handbuilt Storage Jar, woodfired porcelain, 21 x 19 inches (53.5 x 48 cm), 47 lbs (21.5 kg), $1200.00 Cdn.
Atmospheric Woodfired Side Table / Stool #22.32, reduction cooled stoneware, 18.5 x 11 inches (47 x 28 cm), 30 lbs (14 kg), $1200.00 Cdn.
Atmospheric Woodfired Stool #22.34, reduction cooled stoneware, 20 x 17 inches (51 x 43 cm), 32 lbs (14.5 kg), $1100.00 Cdn.
Shovel Head Vase (medium) #22.25, woodfired porcelain, 17 x 11.5 x 5 inches (43x29x13 cm), 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg), $450.00 Cdn.
Shovel Head Vase (large) #22.24, woodfired porcelain, 19 x 12.5 x 5 inches (48x32x13 cm), 16.7 lbs (7.6 kg), $550.00 Cdn.
Atmospheric wood firing
Admired for his surfaces, studio potter Robin DuPont makes fine art ceramic pieces as well as a wide variety of handmade functional pottery. He specializes in atmospheric wood firing techniques that utilize wood as the sole source of fuel to fire his kiln to extremely hot temperatures, often without glaze, to leave a rich, earthy one-of-a-kind surface on each piece. He frequently fires his kiln over several days; frequently works can be five (5) days in his anagama kiln, resulting in the natural ash glazing literally pouring over the surfaces of the vessels. His investigations into the ceramic process, including the relational aspects of useful objects as well as the development of color in relation to rates of cooling, have allowed him to produce seductively, sensuous soda fired porcelain objects.
Robin studied ceramics extensively throughout his career, which included four institutions in three countries. He was an MFA graduate student at Utah State University and received his BFA from the Alberta College of Art and Design in Calgary, AB. He was a resident (2010) as well as faculty (2016) at Medalta’s residency program (a national historic site relating to the ceramic history, Medicine Hat, Alberta) as well as the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. Robin has received several grants, including a Canada Council Project (2013). He builds and has fired many wood kilns, including his own Anagama Kiln (2014), to produce the subtle effects of an extreme atmosphere that only wood firing affords.
Robin’s work is published in Mud, Hands, Fire, edited and curated by Mary Ann Steggles, The School of Art, University of Manitoba; Uppercase Magazine (Calgary), Studio Potter (Northampton, MA), and The Log Book (UK). Robin received the 2021 Mayer Wosk Award for Excellence in Ceramics (NorthWest Ceramics Foundation), he was short-listed for the 2013 RBC Emerging Artist People’s Choice Award (Gardiner Museum, Toronto). He was the 2011-2012 Rawlinson Visiting Artist (Alberta College of Art & Design (2011-2) and visiting faculty with the School of Art at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, MB for the 2012-3 academic year. Robin is a sessional teacher at the Kootenay School of Arts in Nelson, BC and was co-faculty, with Dan Murphy (Utah State), for The Banff Centre’s residency WOOD/SODA/FIRE/BANFF (2015) and KILN RAISING (2016). His work is found in numerous public and private collections around the world.