Born in Calgary, Alberta, Andre Gogol came to the West Coast to study Visual Art and Art History at the University of Victoria. There, he majored in painting and drawing and received an Honours Degree in 1998. Several years later, a fortuitous series of events led him back to UVIC where he discovered his talent and dedication to pottery through eminent Canadian potter Walter Dexter.

"I found in pottery a drive and intuitive quality I had not experienced in other media. Ideas I struggled with in paint seemed to occur more naturally and fluidly in clay."

After a period of working and teaching at a community pottery, Andre decided to establish his own studio. Currently he focuses on techniques using the potter's wheel.

"A well-thrown pot should feel 'right' in the hands. There is a feeling of lightness and balance in a good pot and I strive for this in my work."

While Andre fires most of his work to stoneware temperatures in an electric kiln, he occasionally experiments with gas reduction firing. In these firings he often takes advantage of the chun and copper red glazes that attracted him to pottery as an artistic medium.

"I've always been interested in rocks and geology. I am fascinated by the way that glazes and clay can be manipulated to produce rich and wonderful surfaces."

Andre's functional work is very durable and suitable for the microwave, oven and dishwasher. The stamp that he uses to identify his pottery is based on a traditional Ukrainian cross design, into which he has worked his initials.

In addition to his work with clay, Andre currently teaches in Sidney, British Columbia.