Steve Heinemann


Steve Heinemann is a Canadian artist working in ceramics.
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Heinemann received an Honours diploma from Sheridan College School of Craft and Design, Oakville, Ontario in 1979, a B.F.A. from the Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, Missouri in 1984, and an M.F.A. from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Alfred, New York.

Body of work

His ceramic work has evolved from his interest in pottery. It is grounded in the idea of pottery as having an inner space that is the focus for imagination. Heinemann's self described element of his work is "..., the fundamental, preoccupying thread of containment continues throughout. I’m intrigued with the way spaces can appear to be concentrated. God knows that it’s the same space everywhere - inside or outside - but there’s something about the dynamic of containment that seems to charge one’s attention. Pots have always done that for me. One is held in that interior space perceptually."
In 2017 he had a major retrospective at the Gardiner Museum in Toronto.

Academic career

He has worked as an instructor at Sheridan College, in Mississauga, Ontario, and the Ontario College of Art and Design, in Toronto, Ontario, and has given workshops and lectures in ceramics at schools and universities in Canada, the United States, England, Japan, and Korea.

Awards

Heinemann has been the recipient of a number of awards for his ceramic work including,
  • Special Award, 2nd Word Ceramic Biennale, Korea
  • Canada Council 'A' Grant
  • Saidye Bronfman Award for Excellence in Canadian Craft, 1996
  • Judge's Commendation, Fletcher Challenge International, Auckland, New Zealand
  • Judge's Award, The 4th Ceramic International, Mino, Japan
  • Award of Merit, Fletcher Challenge International, New Zealand
  • Le Prix d'Excellence, National Biennial of Ceramics, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec
  • Award of Merit, Fletcher Challenge International, New Zealand
  • Bronze Medal, International Ceramic Invitational, Taipei
  • Le Prix d'Excellence, National Biennial of Ceramics
  • Prix Pierre Legros, National Biennial of Ceramics

Selected solo exhibitions

Selected public and private collections

The works of Heinemann are displayed in a number of collections including;