Preservation : a solo ceramics show

Abstract

For centuries ceramic artists have been expressing themselves through both practical and artistic pottery. Handling a piece of ceramic, whether it was a functional object or an abstract sculpture, told the viewer something about the artist's energy and process. This information is preserved in the art work. The piece then becomes a channel through which viewer and artist are irrevocably connected. Through the advent of modern machinery, the factory-production of functional ceramic items has completely removed the ability of ceramics to serve as a channel of connection between artist and viewer, ceramic items become cold and inhospitable. What has the potential to be a rich, revealing art form all too often sinks to the level of "useful" and overlooked dishware. Not a hint of the artist is revealed, no history is preserved. As a ceramic artist, I have carefully considered the story I want my pottery to tell. The events, emotion and information I hope to preserve through my artwork is of great importance to me. Through irregularity and unpretentious forms, viewers will see and feel first-hand evidence of my process. My pieces are created from a variety of clay bodies - porcelain, stoneware, and low-fire red clay - with a variety of firing methods - reduction gas, low-temperature electric, wood, reduction cooled wood, and raku. My subject matter differs as wildly as my process. In one set of pieces I chose to focus on natural and man-made disasters. I chose this theme to highlight the importance of human awareness: Which of our actions causes the events? What can we do to heighten preparedness, attempting to preserve that which gives us life and should be of utmost importance - the natural world? The purpose of using a variety of styles and processes is to emphasize the personality and natural earthiness of ceramic art - after all, humans and pottery have something in common. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Dirt is the substance from which all life was formed and to which all life returns; ceramics thus hold an exalted place next to living beings. I have also infused personal information about myself and my thoughts into my pieces. The title for my senior project is Preservation. It is my hope that as you view the way I have shaped my pieces, you will have an intimate understanding of what has shaped me as an artist. I extend myself to you, the viewer, through my work.