top of page

About

Akycha Surette

The intention of my figurative work is to create enigmatic imagery through a combination of beauty and repellence. My pieces usually centre around the human form and experience: the articulation and abstraction of limbs and the interaction of figures with each other, their land, cityscapes and the viewer. Incorporated in my imagery are objects which mimic both the natural and fabricated world.  These objects reference my experiences and philosophies and are elements drawn from my personal iconography.  My work is a post-modern collage of disparate, almost random elements, which set up psychological tensions inviting the viewer to be engaged emotionally, psychologically, aesthetically and intellectually.

            Previously, I worked exclusively within Studio Surette specializing in raku-fired ceramics, which afforded exciting challenges through the manipulation of clay, glazes and the firing process. I have now mostly moved away from raku, and while my new electric fired, ceramic work is thematically similar, I am enjoying the widely expanded palette of colours afforded through commercially available glazes.  As well, I recently returned to my first love, drawing. My ceramics influences my drawing, as my drawing influences my ceramics through spatial division, texturing, and my use of mass and line. I currently use collage, drawing, watercolour and inking to create my works on paper. I split my surfaces into discombobulating planes which can discomfit, while elements of the natural world and architectural references acknowledge a modern human tension between industrial and non-industrial space.  I also incorporate my delight in the beauty and playfulness of the long history of the decorative arts movements with ornamental patterned papers.

​

 

Education

​

  •  2012-2017, MA Art History, Concordia University, Montreal, QC.

  •  1999-2004 B.F.A. with Distinction, Concordia University, Montreal, QC.

  • 1997-1999 D.E.C in Fine Arts, 1997-1999: Dawson College, Montreal, QC. 

 

- 2007-Studied under sculptor Paul Day, France.

​

Publications

​

  • Surette, Susan and Akycha Surette. “Winter Game: Weaving Identity in Pangnirtung.” In Canadian Craft Biennial/ Biennale Canadienne des Métiers d’Art, edited by Denis Longchamps. Burlington On: Art Gallery of Burlington, 2017. 116-124.

  • Surette, Akycha. (2018/2019). Manoeuvering for Markets: One of a Kind Craft Show and the Professionalization of Canadian Craft. Journal of Canadian Art History, 39:2/40:1, 122-137

       

Conference

  • Surette, Akycha. “Dirty Words ‘Money and Market’: The influence of the One of a Kind craft show on the Professionalization of Canadian Craft from 1975 to 1999”. Session: Identity, Craft/Métier d’art and Marketing. Canadian Craft Biennial, Art Gallery of Burlington: Burlington ON. 2017.

​

Exhibition Record

​

  • 2020-2021: The Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery,25 Caroline Street North, Waterloo, ON. Group show.

  • 2015, 2018: Galerie Art Plus, 8 Maple, Sutton, QC. Group exibition

  • 2016: Galerie Art Plus, 8 Maple, Sutton, QC. Three-person exhibition

  •  2014: Galerie Art Plus. 8 Maple, Sutton, QC. Studio Surette exhibition

  •  2013: Musée Bruck, 225 rue Principale, Cowansville, QC. Studio Surette exhibition

  •  2008: Petroff South Gallery, Toronto, ON. Studio Studio Show

  • 2007: Shayne Gallery, 5471 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC. Studio Surette exhibition

  •  2007: Snapdragon Gallery, 791 Bank Street, Ottawa, ON. Studio Surette exhibition

  • 2006: Dental Gallery, Toronto, ON. Solo exhibition.

  • 2005: Petroff Gallery, 1016 Eglinton Ave. W. Toronto, ON. Studio Surette exhibition

  •  2004: Carlen Gallery, 1171 Bank Street, Ottawa, ON. Solo exhibition.

  • 2004: Graduate Exhibition at Concordia University, Montreal, QC.

  • 2002: Snapdragon, 791 Bank Street, in Ottawa, ON. Studio Surette exhibition

  • 2001: Petroff Gallery, 1016 Eglinton Ave. W. Toronto, ON. Studio Surette exhibition

  • 2001: Gallery 611, Toronto, ON, Studio Surette show

  • 2000, 2001: Cannington House, 100 Bronte Road, Oakville, On. Studio Surette show

  • 2000: Studio Arts Exhibition at Concordia University, Montreal, QC.

​

Wholesale and Retail Exhibitions

​

  •  1999-2005: One of a Kind, Toronto, ON. Juried

  •  1998-2001: Muskoka Arts and Crafts, Bracebridge, ON. Juried

  •  1999: Salon Métiers d’Art, Montreal, QC. Juried

  •  1997-1998: Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Toronto, ON. Juried

  •  2001-2005: By Hand, Toronto, ON. Juried Wholesale craft show

  •  2004: The Philadelphia Buyers' Market, Philadelphia, US.  Juried wholesale exhibition

  •  2006-2007: Toronto Art Expo, Toronto, ON. Juried Fine Arts exhibition    

 

  • Ceramic murals, drawings and sculptures found in various private and corporate collections

bottom of page