Clément Hoeck

Contact by email: hoeckpottery@outlook.com

I was first hooked by the feel of clay and the pottery wheel’s therapeutic and calming effect while pursuing a College fine arts program at the Cegep de l’Outaouais in 1996. I went on to study the craft of ceramics in Montreal. I obtained a vocational degree from Montreal’s Centre
de Céramique Bonsecours in 1998. I then went on to study cabinet making and architectural carpentry at l’école québécoise du meuble for three years, but clay has always had a way of calling me back to the wheel. For a while I was doing both but now devote most of my time and efforts to making pottery a viable business and livelihood.
From 2003 to 2005 and again in 2010 I stayed in South Korea, where I soaked in all I could of their unique and historic ceramic culture. I create utilitarian and decorative ceramics that I
hope can stand on their own and bring the user joy in its everyday use. Form and its stand-
alone elegance are what I am after with my pottery.
I am not a production potter. I work in small to medium batches of twelve to 100 pieces of any given design. My pottery has been a long work in progress with the added challenge of working at cone 10 in an electric kiln. If I am happy with a design I keep making it, but it will and does change, evolve over time. Repetition gets dull after a while and to keep the work interesting as
much for myself as for others I enjoy exploring with form as much as I do with surface.
Located in Campbell’s Bay, Quebec, I also offer pottery lessons covering all aspects of throwing on the wheel. I primarily work with high fire stoneware and porcelain. The many glazes I use are of Korean, Chinese and Japanese origin fired to 1285 Celsius in oxidation.
I take part in many shows and exhibitions throughout the year in the Ottawa area and beyond. I am open to giving workshops on intermediate to advanced throwing, glazing and my approach to groups or anyone interested.