Classic, serene, tactile, inspiring, zen-like, and unpretentious, are all apt words to describe the ceramic works of Robert Archambeau.  Prime Gallery is pleased to be presenting Archambeau's ninth solo exhibition with the gallery since 1980.

Robert Archambeau continues a long involvement with his cherished plastic medium of choice, clay.  Working, within the dictates of this demanding medium, has led Archambeau to a mastery of this humble and most basic of sculptural materials.  He has made countless journeys around the States to fire his work in various of his favourite wood-fired kilns, along with Dan Anderson, Don Reitz, etc, all who are enchanted by the vagaries of the flame.  But it is exactly this intense commitment to his medium that allows Robert a certain level of "control".  Firings can take up to a week or more and involve numerous hours and much physical activity in the process.  He has gained much valued experience as a result of his extensive firing history, thus enabling him to place his pottery in a precise manner and location within the kiln chamber to best advantage the passage and eventual landing of the resulting ash from the burning wood.  The ash will alight on the forms adding another dimension to his already strong vessel profiles.  His forms pay homage to Asian bottle, jar and teapot shapes but all have Archambeau's indelible scale, hand and surface.  His pottery exudes a quiet and honest charm as they take pride of place in his exhibitions or at home in the end users domestic setting.

The beauty in Robert Archambeau's pottery is in the deceptively calm and nonchalant appearance that his work takes.  His objects sit and quietly reveal themselves while waiting for you to take notice and revel in the subtleties of surface, texture and form that are effortlessly united in each piece.
Archambeau's work has been collected by many important institutions such as the Winnipeg Art Gallery, the Museum of Civilization, the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, the Burlington Art Centre, and the Canada Council Art Bank.