Anne Hirondelle

1944 Born Vancouver, Washington

EDUCATION

1966 BA English, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington

1967 MA Consulting Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, California

1972-1973 School of Law, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington

1973-1974 Ceramics Program, Factory of Visual Arts, Seattle, Washington

1974-1976 BFA in Ceramics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

1976—Studio Potter, Port Townsend, Washington

BIOGRAPHY 

Anne Hirondelle began her career making functional pots. After perfecting these forms by working as a production potter, Hirondelle begin to experiment with the alteration and scale of traditional forms. By 2002 she was creating architectural soda ash glaze vessels, especially teapots and pitchers. Her new body of work, minimalist sculptures or wall mounted pieces, still featured a vessel component. She composed these forms using a deconstructed thrown bowls that she cut and reconfigured or extruded clay that she used to make freestanding tangled sculptures.

In another body of work, Hirondelle painted her sculptures with a combination of latex and acrylic paints after firing in attempt to free herself from the confines of glaze. Her "Go Pillows" and "Re:Coil" series of 2012 each incorporate a bright color palette; contrasting with her more prolific use of earth tones.

Hirondelle uses an electric wheel and a propane-fired, down-draft, 50 cu.ft. kiln that she designed and built.