Pascale Girardin

Ceramicist | Montréal, Canada

Shaping striking settings with clay

Pascale creates sculptural works and large ceramic installations
She often works on commissions for the hospitality industry
Her Montreal studio operates with the discipline of a professional kitchen

Pascale Girardin is a ceramicist who creates large-scale architectural works such as sculptural murals and suspended installations. She brings her background in painting and ceramics into every project. In managing so many complex and diverse projects, Pascale finds inspiration in the structure and precision of a professional. “I lead my studio team in a disciplined way that balances creative practice with structured project management,” she says. Pascale’s work features in hospitality settings including Saks Fifth Avenue in New York, and Four Seasons hotels in Toronto, Montreal and Las Vegas.

Interview

©Stephany Hildebrand

What drew you to working with clay?: I discovered ceramics while studying painting at Concordia University. I often walked past the clay studios, fascinated by what students were making. The material felt so concrete and tangible. Years later, I had the chance to study ceramics intensively, and it became the foundation of my practice.
Can you describe your process?: Ceramics involves a long chain of actions before a piece leaves the kiln. Preparing, wedging, shaping and refining create a very grounding rhythm and routine. Over time, I came to value that combination of presence, repetition and dialogue with the clay itself.
How did your tableware collections lead to your architectural pieces?: I began by making functional tableware, especially for chefs, because it offered a practical way to make a living as an artist. Gradually, I grew curious about other surfaces and spaces I could explore, from walls to ceilings and even the air itself. That led to murals and suspended installations, often for hospitality settings.
How do you view the creative process?: I once thought creativity meant planning first and executing second. Ceramics taught me otherwise. Repetitive gestures, from wedging clay to loading kilns, shape not just the work but the way you perceive the world. Over time, I realised I was not just forming clay, it was also forming me.

Pascale Girardin is an expert artisan: she began her career in 1996 and she started teaching in 2021