Artist Bio
Magdolene Dykstra has recently returned to Ontario after a year-long residency in York, UK. She was seduced by clay while studying fine arts at Houghton College in New York State, USA. She began her career as a sculptor working in stone; however, she quickly shifted her attention to clay. She was captured by the immediate responsiveness of the medium and its fleshy quality as it pushed back against her hands.
After graduating with a Bachelors in Art, she continued to work with clay and study its roots and applications. She benefited from involvement with the local ceramic communities, particularly the Burlington Potters Guild. As part of her study of ceramics, Magdolene spent three years exploring functional work. Although she continued to enjoy the medium, Magdolene returned to sculptural ceramics as a broader outlet for her thoughts.
As an avid reader, Magdolene has learned a great deal from researching the work of other artists, like Tom Bartel, Adrian Arleo, and Tip Toland. She continues to find inspiration from her experiences and a variety of literature. Magdolene has shown her work throughout Canada, the U.S., and the U.K.