Joy Olsen: A Retrospective

Description

Joy Olsen's wish was to see her work go out into the larger world and on February 20 that wish will be granted. Join us for an art show and sale of early and unexhibited work by Joy, with an opening reception from 6 PM - 8 PM at Nanaimo Ceramic Arts. . Working exclusively in porcelain, Joy's hand-formed vessels and sculptural creatures are inspired by her close proximity to marine life (the joys of living on Gabriola Island), and later weaving in prairie influences such as seeds and grasses to form imaginative hybrid worlds. She developed and meticulously documented her own glazes and eer work was widely exhibited across Canada, including Sask Terra, the Nanaimo Art Gallery, and the Salt Spring Island Ceramics Competition. Diagnosed with aggressive cancer in 2016, Joy continued creating as long as possible and passed away in August 2019. . Visitors will encounter intricately carved forms, richly layered glazes, and thoughtfully detailed surfaces—both seen and unseen—revealing Joy’s deep reverence for nature and her enduring commitment to beauty, curiosity, and craft. We hope you will join us for this special exhibition.