About Bruce
After 30 years of working in clay, utility continues to serve as the foundation for my ideas. The pots I make, no matter how simple or complex, are meant to be experienced on a physical and contemplative level. The way an object carries, lifts, cradles, pours and contains are properties which I strive to make engaging for the user, offering more than just convenience. Pottery has the potential to affect peoples lives in a very real way. The challenge is to go beyond the mundane and purely technical solutions which only compete with a vast industrial market. The pottery I find most compelling in terms of its vitality and its reflection of the maker are those who reach back into the traditions of vessel making not simply in reproduction but rather how these historical models are reinterpreted and revitalized to have more relevance to contemporary society.
My work
My current work is made with stoneware clay and gas fired in a reduction kiln or a soda or wood fired atmosphere. I am also working with similar forms in earthenware with terra sigillata in a reducing atmosphere. The pots are constructed from thrown sections that allow for greater articulation of form and facilitates the application of pattern and texture through the use of carved roulettes.
Awards, Recognition, Publications & Honors
Exhibitions
Collections
Education
Honors
Publications
SELECTED MAJOR EXHIBITIONS
Participation in over 300 exhibits since 1978
SOLO EXHIBITS
2019 Shane Norrie Gallery; Stratford, Ontario
2018 David Kaye Gallery; Toronto, Ontario
2016 David Kaye Gallery; Toronto, Ontario
2015 David Kaye Gallery; Toronto, Ontario
2014 Dust Evans Gallery; Ottawa, Ontario
2014 Water Mill Gallery; South Hampton, New York
2013 David Kaye Gallery; Toronto, Ontario
2010 David Kaye Gallery; Toronto, Ontario
2010 Harbinger Gallery; Waterloo, Ontario
2006 Prime Gallery; Toronto, Ontario
2006 Lafreniere & Pai Gallery; Ottawa, Ontario
2004 25 Year Review-Burlington Art Centre; Burlington, Ontario
2003 Prime Gallery; Toronto, Ontario
2000 Studio 21; Halifax, Nova Scotia
1998 Prime Gallery; Toronto, Ontario
1994 Prime Gallery; Toronto, Ontario
1993 Pro-Art Gallery; St. Louis, Missouri
1990 Wesleyan Potters Gallery; Middletown, Connecticut
1989 Prime Gallery; Toronto, Ontario
1984 Prime Gallery; Toronto, Ontario
1981 Dexterity; Toronto, Ontario
1980 Ontario Crafts Council; Toronto, Ontario
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITS
2018/2019 Diana Reitberger Collection, Gardiner Museum; Toronto, Ontario
2015 Forage, Harbourfront Gallery; Toronto, Ontario
2015 La Mesa, Invitational NCECA; Milwaukee, WI
2014 True North, Northern Clay Centre; Minneapolis, MN
2014 Serviceability, Robert T Wright Gallery; Grayslake IL
2012 La Mesa, NCECA exhibition; Seattle, WA
2012 The Cup, Robert T. Wright Gallery; Grayslake, IL
2011 Rob Forbes Selects, Frank Lloyd Gallery; Santa Monica, CA
2011 Contemporary Teapot, Pewabic Gallery; Detroit, MI
2011 Thrown Altered: Vessels Out of Round, Robert T. Wright Gallery; Grayslake, IL
2010 “Northern Clay” Akar Gallery; Iowa City, Iowa
2010 Visiting Artists Exhibition, Archie Bray Foundation; Helena, Montana
2010 La Mesa, NCECA Exhibition; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2009 “Unit y and Diversity”; Cheongju, Korea
2008 La Mesa, NCECA Exhibition; Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
2008 Speaking in Low-fire, The Clay Studio Gallery; Philadelphia, Pa
2007 Bruce Cochrane/Ben Owen, Akar Gallery; Iowa City, Iowa
2007 “On the Table”, Gardiner Museum; Toronto, Ontario
2006 “The Yixing Effect ‘, Holter Museum of Art; Helena, Montana
2005 The Art of Clay, Harbinger Gallery; Waterloo, Ontario
2005 NCECA/Taiwan Exhibition, Yingge Museum; Taipei, Taiwan
2004 Canadian Ceramics, Lacoste Gallery; Concord, Massachusetts
2004 The Big Show, NCECA; Indianapolis, In.
2004 21st Century Ceramics; Columbus, Ohio (catalogued)
2003 Life Taking Shape – Aaron Milrad Collection, Gardiner Museum; Toronto
2003 Tea at Three, Prime Gallery; Toronto, Ontario
2002 “Ceramic Modernism”, The Gardiner Museum; Toronto, Ontario
2002 “Mentors”, Living Art Centre; Mississauga, Ontario
2001 “Le Grand Buffet”, The Clay Studio; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2000 “Focus on Function”, University of Minnesota; Minnesota
2000 “Seduced by Colour”, The Gardiner Museum; Toronto, Ontario
1999 Canadian Ceramics; Amsterdam, Chicago, Toronto
1999 NCECA (Select 12); Athens, Ohio
1998 Question of Identity, Clay & Glass Gallery; Waterloo, Ontario
1997 Canada/China Exhibition; Jingdezhen, China
1996 “White on White”; Shanghai, Tokyo, Toronto, Waterloo
1996 Advocacy of Pottery, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia; Halifax, Nova Scotia
1995 “Useful Intentions”, Burlington Art Centre; Ontario, Curator
1993 “Majolica”, Farrell Gallery; Washington, D.C.
1993 “Tureen Exhibition”, Helen Drutt Gallery, Philadelphia, PA.
1992 “Inaugural Exhibition”, Canadian Crafts Gallery; Vancouver, B.C.
1991 “Cochrane, Ostrom, Pereira”, Swindler Gallery; Royal Oak, Michigan
1990 “Bruce Cochrane/Sandy Simon”, The Clay Studio Gallery; Philadelphia, PA
1989 “Six Canadian Potters”, Pewabic Gallery; Detroit, MI
1989 “Functional Invitational”, N.C.E.C.A.; Kansas City, MI.
SELECTED WORKSHOPS & LECTURES
Over 90 since 1980
2018 Sheridan College; Oakville, Ontario
2017 Alfred University (summer school); Alfred, NY
Kwantlen College; Vancouver, B.C.
Seward Park Clay Studio; Seattle, OR
Mount Pleasant Potters Centre; Calgary, Alberta
Clay Centre; South Hampton, New York
Langara College; Vancouver, B.C.
Shadbolt Center; Vancouver, B.C.
Archie Bray Foundation Summer Program; Helena, Montana 21st North Carolina Potters Conference; North Carolina
Rhode Island School of Design; Providence, Rhode Island
University of Alaska; Anchorage, Alaska
Hong Kong Pottery Workshop; Hong Kong
Anderson Ranch; Snowmass, Colorado
Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute; Jingdezhen, China
Alberta College of Art; Calgary, Alberta
Eastern College; Newfoundland
University of Winnipeg; Winnipeg, Manitoba
Avila College; Kansas City, Missouri
Nova Scotia College of Art; Halifax, Nova Scotia
Fusion Conference; Toronto, Ontario
University of Mississippi; Mississippi
Emily Carr College of Art, Vancouver, B.C
Banff Centre, Banff, Alberta
Philadelphia Museum of Art; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
George Brown College; Barrie, Ontario
Rochester Institute of Technology; Rochester, New York
John Abbott College; Montreal, Quebec
New Brunswick College of Craft; Fredericton, N.B.
Dowling College; Long Island, New York
SELECTED PERMANENT COLLECTIONS
Victoria and Albert Museum; London, England
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts; Montreal Quebec
George R. Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art; Toronto, Ontario
Royal Ontario Museum; Toronto, Ontario
Canada Council Art Bank; Ottawa, Ontario
Winnipeg Art Gallery; Winnipeg, Manitoba
Kansas City Art Institute; Kansas City, Missouri
Canadian Crafts Museum; Vancouver, British Columbia
New York State College of Ceramics; Alfred, New York
Burlington Cultural Centre; Burlington, Ontario
Nova Scotia Art Gallery; Halifax, Nova Scotia
Canadian Museum of Civilization; Ottawa, Ontario
Islip Art Museum; East Islip, N.Y.
Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute; Jingdezhen, China
Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec; Québec City, Québec
Mackenzie Fine Arts Centre; Dearborn, Michigan
Racine Art Museum; Racine, Wisconsin
Canada Foreign Affairs Department
EDUCATION
Bruce Alan Cochrane, BFA MFA RCA
Professor Emeritus Sheridan College
EDUCATION
1976 – 1978 New York State College of Ceramics, Alfred, N.Y.; MFA
1973 – 1976 Nova Scotia College of Art and Design; BFA
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Professor Emeritus Sheridan College
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2011 – Present Professor Emeritus
1978 – 2010 Professor & Studio Head
Sheridan College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
CERAMIC STUDIO ADVISOR
1999 – Present Mississauga Living Art Centre
1987 – 1994 Harbourfront Craft Studios
1983 – 1985 Harbourfront Craft Studios
SELECTED HONORS
Governor General’s Award – Nominee (2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2017)
Saidye Bronfman – Nominee, Finalist (1985, 2000)
2004 John Mathers Award, Ontario Craft Council – Outstanding Contribution to Craft in Ontario
2004 Mississauga Visual Artist of the Year
2003 Elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts
2000 Elected to the International Academy of Ceramics
GRANTS
Ontario Arts Council Exhibition (2017)
Canada Council Travel/Study Grants (2001, 1994, 1986)
Ontario Art Council Exhibition/Research Grants
(2013, 2010, 2005, 2004, 2001, 1998, 1994, 1993, 1989, 1984)
SELECTED MAGAZINE PUBLICATIONS
Ceramics Monthly ; 2017 Cover Article, November
The Log Book; 2016 Cover Article, issue 66
Ceramics Arts and Perception; 2007 Feature Article, #69
Ceramics Arts and Perception; 2003 Feature Article, # 54
Ceramics Monthly; 2003 Feature Article
Fusion; 2003 Cover Article, winter
Fusion; 2000 Cover Article, spring
Contact; 1999 Cover Article, spring
Ceramics Monthly; 1990 Cover Article, November
SELECTED BOOK PUBLICATIONS
Studio Ceramics in Canada
The Teapot Book
Functional Pottery
Ceramics of the World
Ceramic Spectrum
Tin Glazed Earthenware
New Majolica
Ceramics: Ways of Creation
The Ceramic Surface
Clay & Glazes for the Potter
The Penland Book of Ceramics
Contemporary Studio Porcelain
The Yixing Effect
Porcelain and Bone China