Kristen Bishop

Born in Saint John New Brunswick, multiple award winner Kristen Bishop received her diploma in Fine Craft from the College of Craft and Design of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. Now living in Fredericton, Bishop’s work is influenced by her tactile experiences of the St. John River Valley. This influence can be seen in the textures she recovers within her pieces.

In 2020 she was chosen for the 2020 Nel Oudemans Award, by the Sheila Hugh MacKay Foundation who write:

"Since 2002, the Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation has offered an award for an emerging artist in the fields of fine craft and design. It continues to be a mark of distinction for New Brunswick artisans. The 2020 recipient of the Nel Oudemans Award is Kristen Bishop. Based on the recommendation of an independent jury."

Kristen Bishop’s artistic practice has been marked by the honing of traditional metalsmithing techniques as well as an exploratory spirit. She is noted as an artist who pushes boundaries to explore the creative possibilities. Bishop has earned the respect of her peers, building a body of work that has been featured in juried and invitational group exhibitions. She is an active member of the New Brunswick arts community, poised to excel in a professional career.

The Board of Directors acknowledges the support of jurors Cathy Ross, Sarah Brinkhurst and Theresa Macknight in the 2020 jury process."

Artist Statement

Over the course of my career, I have pushed boundaries while creating with metal. Some of the materials that I work with are precious while others are made precious through surface embellishment, composition, deconstruction, and layering.

In both my jewellery and steel wall plates I combine a variety of techniques to explore textures, colour, and markmaking: drawing inspiration from light, line, and organic form.

- Kristen Bishop, 2022

"Most people live, whether physically, intellectually or morally, in a very restricted circle of their potential being." - William James, 1906

Kristen Bishop, CV