Artist Statement:

Number 103 Catherine Street in Hamilton was built between 1816 and 1825 by Nathanial Hughson, and was his primary residence until 1835 when he sold the property.  In the 192 years since Hughson built the property 103 Catherine Street has had many lives. 

Jamie Owen, the current owner of the house, is currently working to restore the exterior of the house to the period of 1830 – 1835.  He has been working with the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario and has traced the history of his home through archaeology and archival documents, so that the building’s story can be told.

In developing this work I aimed to combine the three main architectural changes central to 103 Catherine Street’s history while referring directly to some of its unique features and being sure to save, in clay, some of the original architectural elements.  The work celebrates the makers of the building by directly lifting impressions from the structure, it celebrates the lives of those who made the building as well as their community, and it celebrates the researchers who keep us all informed as to where and when we have evolved.