Focal Point

School Desk, 2021, stoneware, 9x6x10in

Focal Point - Marc Courtemanche BFA’04

On February 10, the Alumni Crowning Achievement Awards were broadcast on AccessNow and the five outstanding alumni of 2020 were announced. Each recipient received the sculpture School Desk (2021) above by U of R alumnus Marc Courtemanche BFA’04. Courtemanche said about the sculpture: “The object that was chosen to represent western Saskatchewan, and specifically Regina, is an old school desk. Why a school desk? Because it signifies institutional culture and evokes our past memories of educational learning. The idea of an old school desk came about from my memories of the old abandoned school houses, farm houses and churches that can be found across Saskatchewan’s beautiful landscape.”

Wall of Tools 2010 stoneware

The Studio

Paint still life (2018)

stoneware, acrylic paint, wood

Mission Statement (2013)

stoneware, leather

Flat Cart (2007)

stoneware, porcelain, metal

 Generally, he says of his artwork: “I create objects that are visually mistaken for ‘real’ but a closer inspection reveals them to be made of a foreign material. I do not intend to trick the eye but to draw attention to how such ubiquitous household objects are made. A ceramic chair highlights how chairs are made and how they are used. This is a philosophical gesture, which leads one to question both what it is and what the divisions are between real things and representations – between art, craft and manufactured things. In addition, I am applying wood working methods to clay to expand the range of ceramic techniques.”

Wall of Tools (2010)

stoneware, metal

Turning (2003)

stoneware

Trompe L'oeil (2009)

acrylic paint, metal, wood

Toolbox of Tools (2010)

stoneware, metal

Clamped (2010)

acrylic paint

Still life

acrylic paint on medium-density fibreboard

For more information, visit www.marccourtemanche.com

Photos courtesy of Marc Courtemanche.