Internationally renowned ceramicist opens exhibit at Galerie Montcalm

Greg Newing

Internationally renowned ceramic artist and Outaouais resident Paula Murray opened a new exhibit at Gatineau’s Galerie Montcalm on March 28. 

The exhibit, titled Mes Mains, Mon Cœur (My Hands, My Heart), features a broad range of pieces, including pottery, sculptures, and installations, and will run until May 19.

Murray’s work addresses themes of trauma and resilience, control and surrender, and the dynamism of the visible and the invisible. Her pieces are made of thin, delicate, porcelain which forms unique surface tensions and cracks during the drying process.

“My work is a metaphor for how we move through life. We start off smooth and some cracks appear from what we experience. How we respond to those cracks within ourselves and each other is an important throughline in the work that I do,” said Murray in an interview with the Bulletin, “Having an exhibit at Galerie Montcalm is wonderful because I can present ideas for the public without the pressures of a commercial space.  It allows me to showcase a broad scope of my work,” she added. In addition to her own pieces, the exhibit also includes an interactive piece where visitors can add their own contribution, which is a first for Murray.

Murray was born in Ottawa and has lived in Chelsea since 1980. She studied science at the University of Ottawa and ceramics at Sheridan College. Living next to her studio near Meech Lake, she said the natural beauty of the Outaouais region has been a major inspiration for her work, “I address themes through a visual vocabulary that references my surroundings,” said Murray. “The rocks, the water, the forests and the textures in the Outaouais are a big part of my work.  It is very organic and connected to nature.”

Murray’s artwork has been displayed across Canada and internationally. Her work has received numerous awards and can be found in prestigious public collections such as the World Korean Ceramic Foundation Museum, the Yingge Ceramic Museum in Taiwan, the Museum of Ceramics in Faenza, Italy, Canada House in London, UK, the Gardiner Museum, the Canadian Museum of History, and the Canada Council Art Bank.  Murray was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts in 2006 and to the International Academy of Ceramics in 2017.  She was awarded the Prix du Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec and Outaouais’ artist of the year in 2015.

In her remarks at the exhibit’s opening event, Deputy Mayor Isabelle Miron praised Murray’s contribution to the region’s international reputation, “Everywhere that Ms. Murray’s works are displayed, a small part of us travels the world,” said Miron, “We are so proud to welcome Ms. Murray to the Galerie Montcalm and I invite all Gatineau residents to come enjoy this exhibit,” she concluded.

The Galerie Montcalm is located on the first floor of Maison du Citoyen at 25 rue Laurier. The exhibit is free of charge and Murray will be on site to speak with visitors on April 21 and May 5 from 2 to 4pm.  She will also be present for a guided visit by the gallery animator on April 28 and at the exhibit’s closing reception on May 19.

Photo captions: 

Image 1: Visitors at the Mes Mains, Mon Cœur opening event at Gallery Montcalm, March 28.

Image 2: First Light by ceramicist Paula Murray.

Photo credit: Greg Newing