Biography
Shona Rae was a professional clay sculptor for nearly a decade before a series of dreams led her to begin studying goldsmithing and the metal arts in 1994. She received her Diploma in applied art and design from the Kootenay School of the Arts Cooperative in 1998. Shona received her BFA with distinction in the year 2000 from the Alberta College of Art and Design.
After nearly thirty years as a ceramist she has discovered that metal is clay and is enthusiastically applying that knowledge to her creative works. Shona was taught carving techniques from master carvers in the Artic when she taught a jewellery course in Kujjuraappic in the autumn of 2001. Now she passionately combines her sculptural carvings with constructed metal objects.
Shona returned to Calgary in 2002 after teaching jewellery and small object design at the Kootenay School of the Arts for two years. She runs a professional art practice, teaches part time at the Alberta College of Art and Design and is a co-founder of INFLUX, a contemporary art jewellery gallery in 2004. When the gallery sold in March of 2011 she was able to focus on a full time studio practice and her ‘northern style swamp-a-billy’ rock n’ roll band; Shona Rae and the VooDoo Hand.
Shona Rae has won numerous awards and attention for her sculptural art jewellery in Europe and North America. She maintains a deep commitment to the study and creation of art, craft and design.