Peter Powning

Since 1970, Peter Powning has lived and worked as an artist in the hills of southern New Brunswick. While Powning’s award-winning work is shown internationally, it is imbued with qualities distilled from a life lived close to the silence, space and seasonal rhythms of his home. 

Powning’s life, and artistic practice, are intertwined: his work in media ranging from clay, glass, and bronze, to stone, ceramics and steel, are strongly influenced by the fields and forests of this province. His lifelong interest has been to create objects that provoke curiosity and engagement, and that evoke mystery and connection. His work frequently has the feel of the artifact: “an emotional artifact made solid, or a cultural artifact from some future/past, reconstructed or guessed at.”

He has produced numerous large public art commissions across Canada. His work is also featured in many museum collections internationally. 

Powning’s awards and honours include the Governor General’s Bronfman Award, the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for High Achievement in the Arts, as well as an honorary doctorate from the University of New Brunswick. 

 

His wife is the author Beth Powning.