Featured Artist: Brenda Nieves

Visit the Craft Ontario Shop for a collection of hand-built ceramic sculpture by Brenda Nieves, on display in the Feature Window from August 30 to September 29, 2024.

Click here to see the collection available on the Online Shop!

Brenda Nieves is a sculptor & ceramic artist living and working in her studio in The Junction, Toronto. Nieves trained at Sheridan College in the Craft and Design program from 2015 - 2016. Her earlier career was designing children’s clothing, then as a Fashion Director for Eaton’s. Nieves works in multiple media, primarily in clay but also explores fabric, painting and printmaking.

In my artistic journey, I draw inspiration from the intricate beauty and enduring strength of the forest. Through the medium of clay and glaze, I translate this profound connection into tangible forms that reflect both the resilience of nature and the human spirit. Much like the forest, I have navigated my own trials and tribulations, finding the will to adapt and flourish.

In my work, I aim to evoke the symbiotic relationship between humanity and the natural world. Just as we rely on the forest for sustenance and sanctuary, it, in turn, relies on us for preservation and understanding. My creations serve as a conduit for introspection, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the whispers of the wind and the mystic energies that permeate the forest. Through intricate textures and innovative glazing techniques, I craft a sensory experience that transports audiences to the heart of the woodland realm, where solace and transformation await.

Nieves loves to handbuild, often taking clay she has textured and throws or slaps it on the table. She works with slabs, creates her own molds, works additive and subtractive, throw parts and uses fingers and wooden tools to create shapes. Slip additions also help create the surface. Glazing is done with many layers of glaze working together.

Make sure to stop by the Craft Ontario Shop at 1106 Queen Street west to see the whole collection!