Home…My work explores the idea of the home as a sanctuary, a space where the prairie finds its way indoors. By integrating ceramic and wood into domestic objects, I aim to blur the boundaries between the natural and the artificial, inviting the prairie's tranquility and vitality to permeate our living spaces. These objects act as reminders of the vastness and beauty that lies just beyond our doorsteps, grounding us in a sense of place and fostering a deeper connection to the land we call home.

My artistic journey is driven by a profound connection to the Alberta prairie and a fascination with the transformative power of natural materials. Through my exploration of ceramic and wood, I strive to infuse the essence of the prairie into objects that adorn our homes, creating a tangible and intimate link between our daily lives and the natural world that surrounds us.

Drawing inspiration from the vast prairie landscape, I craft ceramic and wood pieces that embody the spirit of this captivating region. The rich earth tones and textures, grain elevators, and expansive skies serve as the palette for my creations. I strive to capture the essence of its serene beauty and translate it into functional objects that weave a sense of place into our homes.

Working with ceramic allows me to mold and shape forms that reflect the contours and fluidity of the prairie landscape. Through hand-building or wheel-throwing techniques, I create vessels and tiles that embody the organic flow and rhythmic patterns of the land. The glazes and surface treatments I employ are inspired by the changing hues of the prairie throughout the seasons, evoking a sense of time passing and the cycle of growth and renewal.         

Wood, with its warmth and natural grain, serves as the perfect complement to ceramic, adding a tactile and grounding element to my creations. I carefully select and shape wooden components to create stands, bases for the pots, and tables. Wood serves as a bridge between the natural and constructed worlds, infusing the pieces with a sense of familiarity and comfort. (2023)

Driven by a deep focus on his art and process as well as knowledge of his media, Bradley Keys follows his inspiration to produce sincere works that speak to the strength of design and the contemplation of still, perfect moments.

Keys’ work has always investigated the ways we know, take in, and are affected by our environment.  Inspired by the elements of the world around him, he reconstructs these aspects through his chosen ceramic processes.  With a subtle hand, Zen-like intensity, and a cherished carving tool, Keys offers vessels festooned with carved patterns based on Kumiko, a Japanese woodworking technique.  His love of furniture-making also comes alive with works that speak to life in the prairies and mountains of Alberta.

Bradley Keys started with a degree in Biology, which has informed his ceramic production since graduating from art school.  His work examines the natural world interspersed with built environments.  His elevator storage jars sit gently beside vessels that speak to rivers and mountain peaks.  Trout migrate across platter surfaces filled with streambed references.  A studio potter since 1994, Bradley has returned to the studio full-time after several years as the ceramic technician / instructor at the Alberta College of Art & Design (now Alberta University of Arts) in Calgary.

“I got to work throwing and carving. Dividing up the surface of a pot and carefully carving a repeating pattern was very pleasing indeed. The process is very meditative and there is an intoxicating anticipation in wanting to see the entire surface pattern finished.  Serendipity had provided a solution to the coronavirus; I was thinking more about pots than the pandemic (Keys 2020).”