MICHAEL OSBORNE was born in Harrington Harbour, Quebec, an island fishing village on the Lower North Shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In 1972 he began studies in Lennoxville, Quebec and continued in Montreal and the United States, where he completed a B.F.A. and an M.F.A. in studio arts. He has worked in his studio on the Lower North Shore since 1986, and continues to exhibit and teach ceramics, painting and drawing.
" I am interested in constructed objects , which have been abstracted from nature. Within my work I am searching for the line between the intuitive gesture and a more calculated, geometric approach. The more I draw and observe organic form the more I see the relationship and simularity between all forms. There is a continuation of shape in each object. The outlines in my paintings are an emphasis on the architectonic. The use of colour is extremely important in the emotional impact of my work. The interaction between complimentary colours, when placed in the proper sequence, give off an aroma in the painting which is quite specific, and organic. Through the use of colour and composition , I hope to achieve a unity, which relates to both the happenstance, or biologically related form. This is in contrast, or parallel with a calculated system of emperical measurement."
AWARDS
1993 Construction of permanent site/specific ceramic sculpture, Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts.
l990 United States Achievement Award, Nominated by James Kriley, Dean School of Fine Arts, University of Montana) for The All American Scholar Collegiate Award.
1990 First Prize, Drawing competition, University of Montana.Missoula, Montana
1989 Best of Visual Arts, Drawing, Sculpture, University of Montana.
1989 Winner of the Campus Art Award, outdoor sculpture commission .
1988 Best of Sculpture exhibition, University of Montana.
