Susan Collett


Susan Collett RCA IAC is a Canadian artist in printmaking and ceramics. In 1986, she graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art, earning a B.F.A. in printmaking with a minor in ceramics.
WWW susancollett.com

Early life and career

Collett began formal arts education in 1980 at the Central Technical School, graduating in 1982. She then began studies at the Cleveland Institute of Art, graduating with a B.F.A. in 1986, following with an apprenticeship as studio assistant to American ceramic artist Judith Salomon.
Working professionally since 2003, Collett maintains a full-time production studio in downtown Toronto where she creates large-scale clay sculpture and monoprints. Her ceramic work employs paper clay and nichrome wire substrate. Her monoprints are made from plates of stitched industrial-grade copper.

Career

Collett's work has been featured in the 2013 Toronto International Art Fair, SOFA exhibitions in Miami, Chicago and New York, Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale 2009 Korea and the Taiwan Ceramics Biennale 2012.
In 2009, Collett was invited by the Ceramic Artists Association of Israel to conduct a master workshop in Neot HaKikar near the Dead Sea, as well as exhibiting at the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, China Academy of Art, and Concordia University. Her work has appeared in Ceramic Review, Ceramic Art & Perception, and Canadian Art. Collett is recognized as a contributor to Canadian Studio Ceramic practice, as well as for her contributions to development in ceramic technique.

Awards

  • 2023 Canada Council For The Arts, Explore & Create research grant
  • 2019 Toronto Arts Council, Research Grant, Porcelain
  • 2019 Canada Council for the Arts, Artist Abroad program - Werkschule, Oldenburg Germany
  • 2017 Ontario Arts Council, Project Grant, Clay
  • 2015 Honorable Mention, 8th Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale, Korea, juried, International
  • 2009 Honorable Mention, 5th Cebiko Korean International Clay Biennale, Korea, juried, International
  • 2002 2nd Prize, Ernst & Young Great Canadian Printmaking Competition, juried, National
  • 2001 1st Prize, Winifred Shantz Award, Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery, juried, National
  • 1997 Nick Novak Scholarship, Printmaking, Open Studio, Toronto
  • 1994 Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation Grant New Brunswick, clay, juried, National
  • 1986 1st Place, Agnes Gund Memorial Award, BFA Show, Cleveland Institute of Art, USA

Collections

Elected associations

She received her letters from the International Academy of Ceramics in 2007, and from the RCA, Royal Canadian Academy of Arts in 2008.

Exhibitions

Publications

  • Louisa Taylor, UK, 2011, The Ceramics Bible, USA Edition, Chronicle Books, page 74
  • Emmanuel Cooper, UK, 2009, Contemporary Ceramics, Thames & Hudson page 89
  • Guy Lavigueur, QC. 2016, Ateliers/Studios of Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, Marquis Imprimer, Quebec, page 122, 123
  • Ed Phillips, Canada, 2005, Ernst & Young Great Canadian Printmaking Collection, Ernst & Young LLP, page 37, 48

Exhibition catalogues

Articles

  • Brennpunkt Keramik II, 2020 catalogue, Introduction Essay by Monika Gass, Curator: Nicole Nix-Hauck- Stadtische Galerie, Neunkirchen, Germany
  • Hannelore Sieffert, Winter 2019, New Ceramics: The European Ceramics Magazine, Germany, Volume #3, page 54
  • Nathalie Roy, winter 2014-2015, “La Ceramique d’art Contemporaine: Le contre-pied des idees recues, Vies Des Arts, issue 237, pages 72, 73
  • Heidi McKenzie, April 2013, “Go East” Canadians Create in China, Ceramics Monthly, USA, volume 61 #4, pages 45–47
  • Barry Morrison, June 2014, Studio Ceramics Canada, Online
  • Adina Balint-Babos July–August 2011, “Figuration & Abstraction” Ceramic Review UK, Issue 250, pages 60–63
  • Kristen den Hartog, November 2008 – April 2009, “Canadians in China”, Ceramics Technical, Australia, Issue 27, pages 83–88
  • Kristen den Hartog, March- May 2007 “Impluvium”, Ceramics Art & Perception, Australia, Spring Issue 67, pages 52–54
  • Virginia Eichhorn, Spring 2007, Impluvium, Espace Sculpture, QC Spring Issue 79, pages 37, 38
  • Kristen den Hartog, August 2006, “Air & Grace”, Ceramic Review, UK, Issue 220, pages 28–29