Artist Statement

My pieces are quiet meditations on harsh realities, and reflections that express the grace and beauty of nature while opposing its destruction. The current state of the world is bleak. I want to find ways of addressing our collective distress without adding more weight.

My sculptures focus on the animal-human relationship by looking at Nova Scotian wildlife and the local implications of the environmental crisis. My chosen material is clay. There is a psychological and physical connection between the vulnerability and fragility of ceramics and that of the natural world. Clay comes from the Earth. It is earth itself, and the earth is my topic in the largest sense. In this way, there is a beautiful synchronicity between my topic and my medium.

These pieces stem from the fact that we are not a separate entity from all of nature, in life or in death. Our fears might be eased somewhat by that connection. The concept of “continuance” feels alive and possible. As a ceramicist, I belong to an ancient lineage. Potters work with their hands in clay to form objects, which, most often, outlive them. These vitrified works become messages to future generations. I take this responsibility seriously and am determined to make work that is both meaningful and beautiful.

Biography

Debra Kuzyk (she/they) is the grandchild of Ukrainian immigrants, raised in Saskatchewan, now residing in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. She is a clay-based artist who studied at the University of Saskatchewan (BED 1980), Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (BFA 1983) and the Banff Centre for the Arts (1988-89). Together with Ray Mackie she established Lucky Rabbit Pottery studio and shop in the 1990’s. Their collaborative ceramic work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and is in numerous public and private collections. In 2023 Debra began her solo career as a ceramic sculptor.