I am a Hamilton artist and art educator with a focus on observation, surface modification and experimental play. Most of my works go through several stages of development in the preparation and finalizing of each piece. My works often start with an interest in objects or places that people identify with in order to explore what we, as humans, choose to incorporate in our own individual identities. Once I have found a subject idea, I then begin to play. Sometimes I will make my own ink from found materials, such as coal dust from the Hamilton steel factories. Other times I will introduce a new material on top of the ink to alter the image. I am quite partial to silver dust and its reflective qualities. These additional steps serve as a way to add a little more human touch to the work and process. It is my hope that people will look at my work and recognize elements, thereby playing with each viewer’s personal associations and experiences.
In addition to creating art I work as an arts educator for youth and those living with challenges. It is here that I aim to help not only pass on art making skills but foster safe spaces and community development to those in need. With the hopes to allow people to grow, find them selves and connect with others that can also help them grow.
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-Alex Borghesan
C.V
HBFA – Lakehead University
Awards and Publications
2021
- Instructor and Studio Manager – Centre [3]
- Art Instructor
Art Gallery of Hamilton | Hamilton, Ontario - Staff Show -Centre [3]
- Quit Messing Around: The creative work of William Bill Hunter – Paul Elia Studio Gallery
Supporting Artist / Creation of whale castings
2020
- Instructor and Studio Tech – Centre [3]
- Art Instructor – Various places
- Overzealous Fine Art Exhibition – Juror
2019
- Instructor and Studio Tech – Centre [3]
- Art Instructor
Art Gallery of Hamilton | Hamilton, Ontario - Juried Vendor – SuperCrawl
- Fusion Clay and Glass Show
- Skyline – Public art – City of Hamilton
2018
- Instructor and Studio Tech – Centre [3]
- Art Instructor
Art Gallery of Hamilton | Hamilton, Ontario - Juried Vendor – SuperCrawl
- Fusion Clay and Glass Show
2017
- Hamilton Arts Awards 2017
Emerging Artist Nomination – Fine Arts - Volunteer After Hours Studio Tech – Centre [3]
- Art Instructor
Art Gallery of Hamilton | Hamilton, Ontario
2016
- Artist’s Proof – Definitely Superior Art Gallery
“Top Ten” (Gum Bichromate) - Instructor – Art Gallery of Hamilton
- Abstracted Memories- Centre [3]
2015
- Survey show – Architect Hair Design / James St. North Art Crawl
Selection of works from the past 3 years. - Retrograduate Exhibition – Definitely Superior Art Gallery
- Urban Infill – Art in the Core 8
- Major Studio Show – Sculpture – Thunder Bay Art Gallery
- Group Show – Calico Coffee House
With Mike Doswell - Lakehead University Juried Show
“End of the Line” (print)
“Silver Moonlight” (print)
“Gendered Identity” (Ceramic figures) - Project Member for “Community Too”
Public stone sculpture carved by John David Hart
In Collaboration With “Art’s Gallery”, “The Auralite Amethyst Mine” and “Ugly Wolf Forge”
Located, Red River St. Thunder Bay, Ontario - TBT News Hour – Juried Show Artist Interview – Jan 30, 2015
- The Nexus Re-birth Issue – “Trifecta 2” Cover Image
- Ceramics Technician – Lakehead University
2014
- Lakehead University Juried Show
“Music Maker” Lakehead University Presidents award.
“Cold Feet” (Ceramics)
“Unnatural” (Sculpture) - Urban Infill
“UnclassifiedOne” - Summer instructor – Thunder Bay Art Gallery
- DefSup Art Gallery
“Trifecta 2” — Permanent Collection of the Lakehead University Genders Centre - 1000 Miles Apart – Attended and Presented -Red Deer College, Red Deer, Alberta
- Workshop and Visual Arts Representative for Lakehead University Preview Day
- Ceramics Technician – Lakehead University
2013
- Lakehead University Juried Show
“Wave” – Sold
“Ties” (Ceramics) Tuckers Pottery Award - Workshop and Visual Arts Representative for Lakehead University Preview Day
- Urban Infill
- Summer instructor – Grimsby Public Art Gallery
- Ceramics Technician – Lakehead University
2012
- Resendency Sanbao Ceramics Art Institute
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province China. - Lakehead University Juried Show
- Summer Kiln Technician – Burlington Art Centre (now Art Gallery of Burlington)
- Apprentice Ceramics Technician – Lakehead University
2011
- Lakehead University – Honours BFA 2011-2015
- Lakehead University Juried Show
- 1000 Miles Apart – University in Regina, Saskatchewan
- Apprentice Ceramics Technician – Lakehead University
2008
- Instructor – Burlington Art Centre (now Art Gallery of Burlington)