Port Moody ceramics artist and teacher Pauline Doyle had just gotten the keys to her new Spring Street studio in 2020 when COVID-19 hit.
But instead of staying idle and waiting for the world to reopen, Doyle looked around her backyard for inspiration for her next project.
Later this month, she’ll launch her new exhibit at PoMoArts, where Doyle has taught for ceramics for the past two decades, to showcase 10 large pieces of creatures in her series Faces and the Garden.
Among her faces are a bear, bobcat, raccoon and birds — “all things that I see in my own backyard,” Doyle told the Tri-City News today (July 15).
“I live two blocks up from Port Moody Secondary and close to the ravine, so we get a lot of wildlife.”
Like during the pandemic, when people have been wearing masks in public, Doyle decided to also put her some of her ceramic animals behind face “masks” — that is, behind flower petals and plant leaves — as they explore her garden.
It’s how they may hide and protect themselves, too, she explained.
For her pieces, Doyle used mid-range white clay with underglaze and clear paints; she then fired the finished works in the kiln at PoMoArts.
Currently, Doyle is working on more animal wall hangings and hopes to have a few ready in time for Christmas sales, she said.
Doyle has a fine arts degree from the UBC and studied ceramic arts at the Emily Carr University of Art + Design; she was PoMoArts’ ceramic artist-in-residence from 2009–12.
Faces and the Garden runs from July 28 to Sept. 4 in the Suncor Gallery at PoMoArts (formerly the Port Moody Arts Centre, 2425 St. Johns St.). The opening reception is from 6 to 8 p.m. Admission is free.
Meanwhile, PoMoArts is calling for volunteers to run its society board. Experience in finance, law, marketing, human resources or fundraising is an asset. To apply before the July 31 deadline, visit pomoarts.ca.
