Judy Blake
The artist will be in attendance at the Opening, 10 September 2026, 5-7 pm
Judy Blake will give an artist talk on Friday September 11, 4-5 pm, at the Gallery
Everyone welcome
Judy Blake has pursued a quiet conversation with clay, smoke and fire. This exhibition brings together work from across several decades, revealing an enduring exploration of form, surface and the transformative power of flame. Working with unglazed earthenware, Blake embraces atmospheric firing techniques—including saggar-firing, sawdust-firing and naked raku that allow smoke and fire to become active participants in the creative process. Flames leave their traces, smoke drifts across burnished surfaces and chance becomes an essential collaborator. No two pieces are alike; each bears the unique imprint of its journey through fire.
Inspired by the beauty of the natural world, Blake’s vessels and sculptural forms richly marked surfaces invite moments of stillness and contemplation, speaking of resilience, mystery and the enduring beauty found in simplicity.
Painting with Fire – A Life in Clay celebrates a lifetime devoted to ceramics, where earth, smoke and flame come together to create objects that are both timeless and deeply personal. This exhibition is a testament to an artist’s life of looking closely, working patiently and discovering beauty in the unpredictable gifts of fire.
Biography
Judy Blake has been working with clay since the mid 1970’s. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and is included in many private and public collections such as Canada House, London, UK as well as CollectionsNB and the NB Museum. Judy taught for several years in the Ceramics department at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design where she had the opportunity to influence many students during that time. She has received many grants and awards and has had numerous solo exhibitions. In 2025, she was awarded the prestigious Strathbutler Award for Excellence as well as for her contribution to the Arts. Judy experiments extensively with burnished, unglazed surface treatments using alternative firing methods such as sawdust-firing, naked raku and saggar-firing and is one of a small number of Canadians using these techniques. Judy Blake maintains a studio practice in Lincoln, New Brunswick.