Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/48690
Kristin McKirdy PIERRE MARIE GIRAUD KRISTIN MCKIRDY SPENT YEARS WORKING— FOR THE MOST PART UNRECOGNIZED—ON HER UNIQUE STYLE OF POTTERY IN FRANCE. NOW MCKIRDY'S WORK IS FOUND IN MANY IMPORTANT PRIVATE COLLECTIONS AND SHE WILL HAVE A MAJOR RETROSPEC- TIVE AT THE SÈVRES MUSEUM IN FRANCE NEXT YEAR. HERE SHE SHARES HER STORY. How did you find your work received when you first began to live and show in Paris? When I first returned to Paris after studying abroad for several years my work did not interest the ceramic community. I worked without recognition for several years until I decided to go to a design/decorative arts gallery to see if they would be willing to show my work. I had a show with Patrick Favardin, and from then onwards, I started to have a following and namely the late Pierre Staudenmeyer who began to collect my work at that time. He later became my gallerist. Ignotus Nomen bench by Pierre Charpin Do you think ceramics as an art form is viewed differently in the US and in Europe? I think that ceramics is widely recognized and respected in the US. It is taught in the universities, in art departments and there are many people working in this medium. In Europe, it really depends which country you refer to. There are countries, such as the Scandinavian countries and Holland, where there is great respect for ceramics. In France, ceramics is regarded as less important than the fine arts, and is not well regarded. There is, however, a noticeable growing interest in ceramics and it is gaining stature. You've studied at many schools and have lived in many places while honing your art. Have these locations influenced your work? And in what ways? My work does reflect the various places I have lived in my life. I feel that my work is European in its general aes- thetic, growing up in France imprinted a certain classicism, but there is an American component, perhaps in the humour and the risk tak- ing. Iceland's nature and minimalism has recently influenced my forms. I think my work also has many influences which came not only from places I lived or traveled to, but from studying art history and archeology. You have an upcoming exhibition at the Sèvres Museum next year. Give us a preview of what we may expect from that show. The upcoming show at the Sèvres Museum will be a retrospective show spanning perhaps the last 10 years. The pieces will be shown in the con- temporary wing of the museum, and they will also be deployed in the perma- A ceramic work by Kristin McKirdy that will be on view at Galerie Pierre Marie Giraud. nent collection in a dialogue with the historical works. The event will also include a second show in the Cité de la céramique's Paris gallery which will show the porcelain pieces produced during my two and a half year residency at the Sèvres Manufacture. CULTURED 57