Kirsten Abrahamson

Canadian artist and educator known for ceramics and mixed-media sculptures

Kirsten Abrahamson in her office. Photo taken by her daughter, June 25, 2020.

Kirsten Lillian Abrahamson (born June  16, 1960) is a Canadian ceramic artist and educator known for her ceramics and mixed-media sculptures.

## Early life and education

[edit]

Kirsten Abrahamson was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1960. She moved to Canada with her family in early high school and subsequently became a Canadian citizen. Abrahamson moved to Calgary, Alberta, to study at the Alberta College of Art and Design, where she earned diplomas in ceramics and glassblowing.[1]

In 1984 and 1985, Kirsten attended the summer sessions in ceramics at the The Banff School of Fine Arts, Banff, Alberta. She also attended the University of Calgary from which she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (ceramics) in 1987 and Master of Fine Arts (sculpture) in 1990. Abrahamson was an artist in residence at the Alberta College of Art and Design, and later at the Banff Centre[1]. Her career evolved as an artist and as an instructor at post-secondary institutions.[1]

## Career and artistic practice

[edit]

Kirsten in her studio, working on "June: Every Six Days (An Indigenous Women Goes Missing in Canada)" while "July: The Red Balloon" rests on the easel behind her. Photo taken by her loving daughter June 22nd, 2019.

Abrahamson is known for her figurative ceramic and mixed-media sculptures. Her work is described as autobiographical and journalistic, reflecting influences from history, symbols, cultural customs, and traditions. She often incorporates recycled materials into her practice, emphasizing environmental sustainability.[1]

Throughout her career, Abrahamson has worked across multiple mediums, including glassblowing, pottery, and sculpture. Her practice explores themes of identity, personal experience, and the intersection of culture and history. Her sculptures often evoke a sense of multicultural identity.[1]

Her involvement in the Redwork project highlights her exploration of family history and emotional healing through art. Abrahamson's work often reflects the intersection of personal trauma and societal narratives, offering both introspection and broader cultural reflection.[1]

## Teaching and education

[edit]

Abrahamson has been an influential figure in art education, teaching at various institutions. She has taught at the University of Calgary, Red Deer College, and the University of Waterloo, and currently leads the Colour Theory and Painting courses at Sheridan College in Ontario. She is also the lead facilitator of the Sheridan Art Hives initiative, a community-focused project that promotes creativity through the use of recycled materials.[1]

## Body of work

[edit]

Ceramic Robots on display at Jonathon Bancroft Snell Gallery, London, Ontario. October 2015. Kirsten Abrahamson.

Abrahamson's work was influenced by a sojourn in Mexico in 1993, where she and a colleague experienced the Day of the Dead festival. From that experience, she and her colleague created a special exhibition entitled Revival shown at the Muttart Gallery.[2] Subsequently, they had a second exhibition, Days of the Dead at The New Gallery in Calgary. Abrahamson portrayed the symbolism of this festival.

Through her studies in ceramic art, Kirsten Abrahamson has both an understanding of ceramic traditions and the formal skills in ceramic arts developed from the 19th through to the 21st century. Her foremost work, Diary of a River, has been the subject of critical analysis.

Abrahamson's earlier work placed in front of her later work to showcase her developing art style, Jonathon Bancroft Snell Gallery, London, Ontario. October 2015 Kirsten Abrahamson.

That work was reviewed in a short book by Carol Podedworny. Podedworny observed that Abrahamson's work reflects the California Funk and Bay Area Ceramics[3] traditions and that Abrahamson's "bold, satirical and colourful leanings are reflected in her narrative and figurative works that have a strong personal introspective penchant".[4] The use of low-fire clay and glazes permit the construction of large objects and brighter colours.[4]

Similarly, Virginia Eichorn's article, about Diary of a River,[5] featured in ESPACE SCULPTURE,[6] observed that Abrahamson's studio work takes an autobiographical approach in the creation of ceramic art that reflects the themes in her life.[6] Diary of a River was subsequently acquired by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts as part of its permanent collection.[5] A number of her other works have been also been acquired by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts.[7]

Abrahamson's ceramic art is illustrated and exemplified in several ceramics texts. One of these is Gail Crawford's book Studio Ceramics in Canada, a standard reference text published with the assistance of the Gardiner Museum, the only museum in Canada dedicated to ceramic art. The text discusses and illustrates Canadian ceramic art work and ceramic artists in Canada. Kirsten Abrahamson's glazing work has also been used for illustrative purposes in two books by professional studio potter Robin Hopper. In 2012 her work was featured by the Jonathon Bancroft-Snell Gallery's promotion in Ceramics Monthly Archived 2013-01-25 at the Wayback Machine.

Abrahamson's works were represented in 5 of the 10 National Biennial of Ceramics exhibitions. At the 10th Biennial she was awarded the "Prix Du Public". During its 20-year history, this exhibition was a juried national ceramics show. At its 10th and final exhibition, the participants were selected by curators who invited submissions from artists in each of four regions.

## Awards and recognition

[edit]

Ceramic Robots on display at Jonathon Bancroft Snell Gallery, London, Ontario. October 2015, Kirsten Abrahamson.

Abrahamson's work has been recognized through numerous awards and grants, including the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Alberta College of Art and Design in 2002. She has also participated in exhibitions both nationally and internationally, showcasing her sculptures in public collections across Canada.

* University of Calgary Art Department 50th Anniversary One of 30 Alumni honoured during the University of Calgary anniversary by display of their works at the Nickle Arts Museum, September 2016.
* Prix du Public awarded at the 10th National Biennial of Ceramics at Trois-Riviers, Quebec in 2002
* Distinguished Alumni Award of Excellence granted in honour of the 75th anniversary of the Alberta College of Art and Design in 2002
* Awarded 2nd Prize in Fit for a King juried exhibition displayed at the Gardiner Museum, Toronto in 1992.

## Exhibitions and public collections

[edit]

Kirsten standing behind her ceramic robot display, Jonathon Bancroft Snell Gallery, London, Ontario. October 8th, 2015, Kirsten Abrahamson.

Abrahamson has exhibited widely in Alberta, across Canada, and internationally. Her work is included in several public collections and she has received recognition for her contributions to the Canadian art scene.

* The Burlington Art Centre, Burlington, Ontario
* The Banff Centre for the Arts, Banff, Alberta
* The Nickle Arts Museum at the University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta
* Ceramic Robots on display at Jonathon Bancroft Snell Gallery, London, Ontario. October 2015, Kirsten Abrahamson.The Claridge Collection, Montreal, Quebec
* The Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Edmonton, Alberta
* Alberta College of Art + Design Permanent Collection, Calgary, Alberta
* The City of Calgary Civic Art Collection, Calgary, Alberta (housed at the Triangle Gallery)[8]

Her work has been given wide public exposure and has been included in several international shows in the United States (in San Diego, California; Minneapolis, Minnesota; New York, New York and; San Angelo, Texas ) and overseas; in Taipei, Taiwan; and Prague, Czechoslovakia.[9]

## Solo exhibitions

[edit]

Notable exhibitions include her solo and group shows, which highlight her continued evolution as an artist.

Abrahamson glancing over her ceramic robots at Jonathon Bancroft Snell Gallery. Photo taken by her loving daughter, London, Ontario. October 8th, 2015

* Queue Jonathon Bancroft Snell Gallery, October 2015
* Her epic work Diary: of a River, first shown at the Illingworth Kerr Gallery Calgary, travelled to the London Regional Museum and Art Gallery at London, Ontario, and the University of Waterloo Gallery in Waterloo, Ontario, during 2004–2005.
* The 2002 Feature exhibition at the Harbinger Gallery of Waterloo.Ceramic Robots on display at Jonathon Bancroft Snell Gallery, London, Ontario. October 2015, Kirsten Abrahamson.
* The 1994 Revival exhibition at the Muttart Gallery (now the Art Gallery of Calgary).
* Her Personal Mythologies exhibition presented in 1990 at The Nickle Arts Museum of the University of Calgary.
* The Personal Mythologies of Dee Dee Alteridem shown in 1990 at the University of Calgary Little Gallery.
* Accidental Solo exhibited in 1989 at the Canadian Art Gallery of Calgary.
* I Love A Parade presented by the Muttart Gallery (now the Art Gallery of Calgary).

## Personal life

[edit]

Kirsten currently resides in Ontario, Canada, with her family. She has two children, a daughter born in 1995 and a son born in 1996 in Calgary, Alberta. She is passionate about animals, especially cats, and is an active supporter of Kitchener Stray Cat Rescue and various other online efforts to support cats.

## Community engagement

[edit]

Abrahamson's dedication to community-focused projects is evident in her involvement with Art Hives at Sheridan College, where she works with students and local residents. She believes in the therapeutic power of creativity, particularly using recycled materials to support both well-being and environmental sustainability.[1]

## See also

[edit]

List of Canadian artists

## Further reading

[edit]

* Chaytor, K and Krueger, J ed. Relational Learning: ACAD Ceramics Visiting Artists The First 3 Decades, ACAD Ceramics, Calgary, Alberta, 2017
* Eichorn, Virginia Diary of a River ESPACE SCULPTURE, Vol. 75, p 39-40, Spring 2006
* Podedworny, Carol Diary of a River Illingworth Kerr Gallery, 2005 - 7 pages
* Crawford, Gail Studio Ceramics in Canada, Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, Goose Lane Editions, 2005, p. 215
* miniARTure Sample of work The Triangle Gallery 2004
* Hopper, Robin Making Marks, Iola: Krause Publications, 2004
* Hopper, Robin The Ceramic Spectrum, 2nd Ed., Iola: Krause Publications, 2001
* Shea, Melissa[10] Dead Dudes in Mexican Duds, Gauntlet, p. 21 Oct. 1999
* Tousley, Nancy Critics Pick, The Calgary Herald, Oct. 6, 1999.
* Laviolette, Mary-Beth Oeuvre The Top: Ceramic Artist Kirsten Abrahamson Walks a Tight Line Between the Exuberant and the Absurd, Avenue, 8-9 Dec. 1997
* Auth ukn The Lighter Side of Death, Where, p. 12\. (Calgary) Oct. 1994
* Walton, Mark REVIVAL: Abrahamson and Strakowski, Muttart Gallery Newsletter, Volume 6, Issue 5. Sept./Oct., 1994
* Abercrombie, Nora The Mexican Connection, Arts Bridge, Vol. 3, No. 2, Issue 8, 4. Fall 1994
* Walton, Mark Death Stalks the Muttart, Artichoke, Vol.6, No.3, Fall/Winter, 1994
* Ylitalo, Kathryn Kirsten Abrahamson, Visual Arts Newsletter, Vol.11, No. 9, Issue 53, p. 4\. Feb. 1990,
* Tousley, Nancy Art College Exhibit a Show of Strength, Calgary Herald, p. C7 Sept. 27, 1985
* Tousley, Nancy Sculptor Pokes Fun at Tourists, Calgary Herald, April 1985

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Faculty". www.sheridancollege.ca. Sheridan College. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
2. ^ Walton, Mark REVIVAL: Abrahamson and Strakowski, Muttart Gallery Newsletter, Volume 6, Issue 5. Sept./Oct., 1994
3. ^ Albright, Thomas. Art in the San Francisco Bay Area 1945-1980. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1985. ISBN 0520051939
4. ^ a b Abrahamson, Kirsten (2004). Diary of a River: Kirsten Abrahamson. Alberta College of Art & Design. ISBN 978-1-895086-13-3.
5. ^ a b "Diary of a River". Archived from the original on 2014-02-28. Retrieved 2013-01-27.
6. ^ a b MacDonnell Eichhorn, Virginia (2006). "Kirsten Abrahamson: Diary of a River". Espace: Art Actuel (75): 39–40\. ISSN 0821-9222.
7. ^ "AFFA Collection". Archived from the original on 2014-02-25. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
8. ^ "Triangle Gallery". 4 October 2011. Archived from the original on 2013-01-20. Retrieved 2013-02-11.
9. ^ University of Waterloo, Resume unavailable accessed 2015 03 14
10. ^ [Dead Dudes in Mexican Duds], The Gauntlet, p. 21 Oct. 1999 description of gallery show - Online article no longer available

## External links

[edit]

* e-artexte list
* Kirsten Abrahamson Web Page