I’m a sucker for textured ceramics especially of the exotic variety, so when I saw this fantastic, Indian-inspired white pressware in the window of Kosoy & Bouchard, well, the hook was in. Michelle Kosoy and Pierre Bouchard are a husband and wife team–she’s a potter, he’s a glass artist–who run a studio/cum retail gallery at 651 St. Clair Avenue West in Toronto.
Although some of Bouchard’s remarkable work, above, is on hand, he tends to focus on commissioned pieces; it’s Kosoy’s sublime, Asian-inspired ceramics that dominate the showroom. She uses Indian wood blocks, typically used in fabric and paper printing, to impress patterns into her gorgeous white earthenware and porcelains.
And now, after more than a decade spent honing her craft, it looks like the world is really taking notice of Kosoy’s work. The Art Gallery of Ontario is featuring her pieces in its gift shop and posh Yonge Street retailer Hollace Cluny is now carrying her gorgeous stools, sidetables and other pieces. What’s more, Kosoy is one of 35 Canadian designers selected to showcase their work at Studio North, a featured exhibit of IDS 2009 running February 5 – 8 at Toronto’s Direct Energy Centre.
Kosoy’s tableware is quite reasonably priced and ranges from $30 for small dip bowls to $500 for large vases; most trays and bowls fall into the $100 – $150 range. The artist is working in a range of colours including white, aqua, mossy green and metallic pewter, below (available exclusively at Hollace Cluny).
To help pay the bills Kosoy teaches pottery classes in her studio: five-week sessions run Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7 – 9:30 pm and cost $250, including all materials. The next two sessions begin January 20 and February 25 respectively.
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