Hopper, Robin
Item
Maker Name
Hopper, Robin
Studio name
Chosin Pottery Inc.
Biography
Robin Hopper was an internationally recognized artist, potter, teacher, and author. He taught throughout Canada, as well as England, U.S.A., Australia, New Zealand, China, Korea, Japan and Israel. His works can be found in corporate, public and private collections worldwide.
Robin was born in England and trained at Croydon College of Art. More influenced by Willian Staite-Murray (one of a kind work) than by the Leach model. (Though he did make functional work.)
Robin and his wife, Sue Hara, immigrated to Canada in 1968 and taught for two years at Central Technical School, Toronto, and organized the Ceramics and Glass Department at Georgian College, Barrie, Ontario.
In 1977 BC welcomed Robin as the first recipient of the Saidye Bronfman Award.
Robin conducted a great deal of historical and technical research throughout his career. An educator, he was the author of many technical books and how-to videos. In particular, The Ceramic Spectrum has been very helpful to many potters.
By 1984 Robin and his second wife Judy Dyelle had established the Chosin Pottery in Metchosin and started to establish his famed ‘ Anglojapanadian’ garden.
Also in 1984 he and Judy founded Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts (MISSA) - which has become a favourite destination for many to upgrade skills and vision. Also in 1984 he was one of the founders of the collective FIRED UP, Contemporary Works in Clay that remains active.
Robin’s studio practice was involved mainly with one-of-a-kind work. He was skilled in using techniques like agateware, where layers of stained and white clays to produce a marbleized effect, revealed by fluting, or cutting through the layers of stained clays. He worked in series, defined by choices of form and techniques, and espoused, harmony between form and surface, and form and function. He was also known for using the pot’s surface as canvas painting with coloured slips and glazes to create abstracted landscapes. His last interest was in glaze painting.
Robin was very proud to have received the Order of Canada in 2017.
Robin was born in England and trained at Croydon College of Art. More influenced by Willian Staite-Murray (one of a kind work) than by the Leach model. (Though he did make functional work.)
Robin and his wife, Sue Hara, immigrated to Canada in 1968 and taught for two years at Central Technical School, Toronto, and organized the Ceramics and Glass Department at Georgian College, Barrie, Ontario.
In 1977 BC welcomed Robin as the first recipient of the Saidye Bronfman Award.
Robin conducted a great deal of historical and technical research throughout his career. An educator, he was the author of many technical books and how-to videos. In particular, The Ceramic Spectrum has been very helpful to many potters.
By 1984 Robin and his second wife Judy Dyelle had established the Chosin Pottery in Metchosin and started to establish his famed ‘ Anglojapanadian’ garden.
Also in 1984 he and Judy founded Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts (MISSA) - which has become a favourite destination for many to upgrade skills and vision. Also in 1984 he was one of the founders of the collective FIRED UP, Contemporary Works in Clay that remains active.
Robin’s studio practice was involved mainly with one-of-a-kind work. He was skilled in using techniques like agateware, where layers of stained and white clays to produce a marbleized effect, revealed by fluting, or cutting through the layers of stained clays. He worked in series, defined by choices of form and techniques, and espoused, harmony between form and surface, and form and function. He was also known for using the pot’s surface as canvas painting with coloured slips and glazes to create abstracted landscapes. His last interest was in glaze painting.
Robin was very proud to have received the Order of Canada in 2017.
First name
Robin
Last name
Hopper
Career dates (start and end)
1961
Date of Birth
1939
Date of Death
2017
Place of Birth
England
Place of Death
Formal Education
Major Exhibitions
For Exhibition record, please see website;
https://www.chosinpottery.ca/pages/robinhopper.html
https://www.chosinpottery.ca/pages/robinhopper.html
2012 'Back to the Land, Ceramics from Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands 1970-85' AGGV, curated, Diane Carr
Collections
The Indusmin and Claridge Collections
Confederation Centre Art Gallery, Charlottetown, PE
The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Victoria, BC
Ontario Crafts Council, Toronto, ON
The Winnipeg Art Gallery, MB
Art Gallery of Burlington, ON
The Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau
The Reading Museum, England
Ichiin, Korea
Beijing Academy of Art and Design, China
Queensland Art Gallery, Australia
Affiliated organizations
Personal Website
https://www.chosinpottery.ca/pages/robinhopper.html
Tag
Links to Further Resources
2017 Order of Canada
1977 Saidye Bronfman Award
Author;
“The Ceramic Spectrum”,
“Functional Pottery”,
“Staying Alive”
Revised edition of Daniel Rhodes' "Clay and Glazes for the Potter
Autobiography, “Robin Hopper Ceramics
“The Ceramic Spectrum”,
“Functional Pottery”,
“Staying Alive”
Revised edition of Daniel Rhodes' "Clay and Glazes for the Potter
Autobiography, “Robin Hopper Ceramics
1993 Six educational videos “Making Marks”
1994 Five videos "Form and Function"
1994 Five videos "Form and Function"
“A Potter’s Garden - An Artist’s Approach to Creative Garden-Making”.
https://www.chosinpottery.ca/pages/robinhopper.html
https://studioceramicscanada.com/home/about-barry-morrison/contemporaries/robin-hopper/
A March 10, 2016, podcast, Die As An Individual: Robin Hopper, Episode 195 By Potters cast by acast. Host Paul Glais.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Hopper
Robin Hopper Ceramic Explorations 1957-1987, Patricia Bovey. Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and Koffler Gallery, North York, Ontario exhibition catalogue,
Explorations Within a Landscape, New Porcelain by Robin Hopper, published, 1978 by Robin Hopper, with introduction by Robin Skelton.
Source
Debra Sloan
Linked resources
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