Artist: Sam Knopp
Sam Knopp, ALBERTA
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I am an object maker, curious about the material world around us, and how it participates and shapes our lives. Working predominately in ceramics I am interested in the conversations around this specific material and the numerous contradictions presented by clay’s complicated history.
I am excited by both its imagined and real dualities and my work attempts to examine, expose and dismantle these notions. With interests in modernism, pop-culture and craftsmanship I hope to stage reconciliations between order and chaos, function and sculpture, the hand-made and industrial to create objects and experiences that explore our relationship to our contemporary material world.
EDUCATION
2013 Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree – Ceramics Major
Emily Carr University of Art and Design – Vancouver, BC
EXHIBITIONS
2018 Solo Exhibition, Stony Plain Multicultural Centre, Stony Plain, AB
“Subject Matter,” Gibson Art Gallery, Gibsons, BC
“2018 Yunomi Invitational,” CLAYAKAR, Iowa City, IA
“10 out of 10,” Carlow University Art Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
“Uncommon Blends,” Alberta Craft Council, Calgary, AB
2017
“Snooze You Loose,” Gallery of BC Ceramics – Vancouver, BC
“Relocations,” Alberta Craft Council Discovery Gallery – Edmonton, Alberta
2016
“Vanity Publishing,” Pop-Up Newton – Surrey, BC
“Functional Sculptural,” Circle Craft – Vancouver, BC
2015 “Ceramic Presents,” Gam Gallery – Vancouver, BC
“International Tool Show,” Yuill Family Gallery, Medalta – Medicine Hat, AB
“Clay 2015: F.V.P.G Juried Exhibition”, Chilliwack Cultural Centre, Abbotsford, BC
“Riff: Jackie Frioud and Sam Knopp,” Gallery of BC Ceramics – Vancouver, BC
2014
“Summer A.I.R.,” Beehive Kiln Gallery, Medalta – Medicine Hat, AB
“Through the Somethingscape,” Concourse Gallery, Emily Carr University – Vancouver, BC
“Circle Craft Graduation”, Circle Craft Gallery – Vancouver, BC
2013 “Rock Paper Scissors,” White Rock Museum and Archives – White Rock, BC
“Medalta Cup Show,” Medalta – Medicine Hat, AB
“BMO 1st Art!” Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art – Toronto, ON
“Award Winners,” Winsor Gallery – Vancouver, BC
“Grad Show,” Emily Carr University of Art and Design –Vancouver, BC
“Potluck,” Gallery of BC Ceramics – Vancouver, BC
SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
2016 Cultural Project Grant – City of Surrey, Surrey, BC
2015 Vancouver Mayor’s Arts Awards “Emerging Artist Craft and Design” – City of Vancouver,Vancouver, BC
Purchase Prize – Medalta Historic Clay District Collection, Medicine Hat, AB
2014 Early Career Development Grant – BC Arts Council, Victoria BC
2013 BMO 1st Art British Columbia Winner – BMO 1st Art Invitational Student Art Award, Toronto, ON
Circle Craft Graduation Award for Ceramics – Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Vancouver, BC
MISSA Young Artist Bursary – Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts, Victoria, BC
2011 YPC Mini Grant – Vancouver Foundation, Vancouver, BC
PROFESSIONAL/ WORK EXPERIENCE
2017 Artist in Residence (Winter Independent), Banff Centre for the Arts – Banff, AB
2016 Fine Arts Studio Technician, Kwantlen Polytechnic University – Surrey, BC (Jan 2015)
2014
Summer Artist in Residence, Medalta International Residency – Medicine Hat, AB
Teaching Assistant, Arts Umbrella – Vancouver, BC (2014)
Tour Guide/Admin Assistant (Internship), Rennie Collection – Vancouver, BC (2013)
Gallery Assistant, Gallery of BC Ceramics – Vancouver, BC (2012)
Artist Assistant, Katherine McLean Studio, Vancouver, BC (2013)
Ceramic Studio Apprentice, Kingsmill Pottery Studio, Vancouver, BC (2012)
2013 Woodshop/Tool Monitor, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Vancouver, BC (2011)
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND VOLUNTEER WORK
2016
Member, Alberta Craft Council (2016)
Representative, MISSA Young Artist Advisory Council (2015)
Secretary, Potters Guild of BC Board of Directors (2014)
Member (Co-Founder), Dusty Babes Collective (2013)
Participant, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts – “Making New Ideas from Historical
Pottery” Workshop with Julia Galloway
2015 Volunteer, Dig This, Exploring BC Clay – Burnaby, BC
2013
Participant, Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts – “Inquisitve Clay”
Workshop with Debra Swartzkopf
Department Representative, Emily Carr University Student Advisory Council (2012)
Volunteer, Canadian Clay Symposium Artist Assistant with Lorna Meaden
2012 Co-ordinator, Emily Carr University Ceramics Dept. Multiple Show & Fundraiser