Thomas Aitken's BFA is from Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and his MFA is from the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff. In addition to maintaining his studio, he has curated exhibitions, designed and constructed both low-fire and high-fire kilns and taught in the education department of the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art. He has been an artist-in-residence in both the United States and Canada. Thomas's work has been exhibited across North America, the United Kingdom and Europe.

Thomas says that his work celebrates the functional object, its history and its associations.  Each piece of his hand-produced porcelain is intended to delight the eye, to please the touch and to satisfy the owner through time.  Early Ontario pottery, Central Asian tribal rugs and the delicate use of colour and pattern of the Song Dynasty potters have influenced his work.  He also looks to the work of contemporary makers of functional wares who continue to challenge and update the traditions, while maintaining a utilitarian-based mandate.

Thomas has recently produced a number of collaborations with Kate Hyde – some of these depict Kate’s Commedia del Arte drawings on Thomas’ functional porcelain – which are receiving rave reviews by gallery clientele.

A complete line of dinnerware and accessory items by Thomas Aitken is available through The Village Gallery; ask us for details.