Bridget Fairbank is a relentless maker. Her art works to implicate and empower through sensory enjoyment with taste, touch and smell. Born in the mountains of beautiful British Columbia, her childhood was exploring nature. Perhaps this is why her work is project based. She has traveled the world making and seeking education. These experiences led her to value traditional handcrafts and embrace technology of globalization. She believes in community, living cultural knowledge and the power of the mundane to shape life. As teacher, technician and social practice artist, Fairbank is part of the movement redefining the ceramic field.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I use the metaphorical landscapes of flora and food as a catalyst for making work about the discourses that mediate our relationships. The handcrafted object is now the subversive object. Through project based ceramic installation and orchestrated happenings I aim to formulate strategies for modern existence. I work to implicate and empower a viewer through sensory enjoyment and social engagement.
October 2019, Strojich Fellow
February 2020
