Details
| First Name | sonja |
| Last Name | Chamberlain |
| Nickname | SonjaC |
My Ceramics
| In the studio I like to do | Handbuilding, Sculpting, Slip casting |
| Clay body | Stoneware, Porcelain |
| Clay Brand | Tuckers, Laguna, Plainsman |
| Kiln Type | Electric Kiln, Raku Kiln |
| Kiln Atmosphere | Oxidation Atmosphere |
| Temperature | 1200 C |
About Me
| Introduction | My name is Sonja Chamberlain and I live in Toronto, Canada. I’ve worked with ceramics for approximately 22 years but have only recently established my own studio. I make both functional and sculptural pieces with a specific focus on surface decoration. I am a member of Toronto Potters and Eastend Makers, an art collective comprised of seven talented artists who live and work in the east end of Toronto home. |
| What I Love about Ceramics | What I love about ceramics is the infinite possibilities for creative inspiration and direction. To be a ceramics maker is to be a life long learner and experimenter and that intrigues me. |
| How I started with ceramics | I was first introduced to ceramics in a high school art program and didn’t touch clay again for about 25 years. I started taking classes at a local creative centre as a hobby and mental break when our children were little. What started as a casual interest in clay developed into a true passion during the Covid lockdowns. The closure of the creative centre prompted me to establish my own home studio and continue my learning journey on my own, proactively seeking out mentors, resources and collaborations with other like-minded artists. |
| What inspires me | My inspiration comes from learning about other artists and seeing how their unique perspectives are reflected in their work. I’ve learned that creativity doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s sparked by the open exchange of ideas, techniques and experiences that occurs when one is a member of a dynamic and supportive artistic community. Being a part of this and other ceramics communities has greatly inspired me to keep learning, keep experimenting and keep making. |
| What I'm working on at the moment | Currently, I’m working on mostly functional pieces that allow me to experiment with some of the glazes and tools I currently have in my studio. I established my own studio in 2020 and am still getting acquainted with what techniques and results I can achieve with the materials and tools I have on hand. Soon, I’ll be ready to return to creating more sculptural pieces, which I particularly love to work on. |
| My Artist Statement | My artist statement is a continual work in progress… |
| Profile Type | Member |
