Artist Statement

My work explores the intersection of recognizeable functional forms and abstraction, aiming to redefine the concept of function in ceramic objects. I am inspired by the entropic state of nature, and my work is a macroscopic format for the blend of order and organic asymmetry often found in the minute details of nature. The exploration of form, function, and nature culminates in the surface of my work. Rough textures with flowing and mottled colors bring the piece to life and ground the viewer back to the natural influence behind each object, further separating it from true function outside of content.

My work in ceramics began on the wheel, with a focus on functional everyday objects. After pursuing this line of inquiry I sought to branch out into surface design, introducing hand-built elements on to wheel thrown objects. During this time I was introduced to atmospheric firing. This opened two avenues of interest; the animate effect of wood firing on the surface, and an increase in my time spent in nature while doing wood preparations and outdoor firing. This led to an entirely new avenue, sculptural work. I began to stray from traditional natural imagery like mushrooms and plants, favoring instead the textural abstraction of tree bark, fungi, stones, and anything else I could find during my adventures.

While I have maintained my affection for functional forms and nature, I have become less interested in the function of an object, and more in examining whether imagery must be wholly recognizable to be understood, and what the recognition and purpose of an object means to me as the creator. My current work explores how abstraction can embody its own function and meaning, focusing on the organic sculptural form. I began with medium scale flowing vases and abstract webbed sculptures, but as my work has developed the functionality of an object as a vessel is something I have found unneccessary beyond the overall message the piece delivers to the viewer, favoring instead to work through intuitive flow and creation. I now put complete emphasis on the form itself, and the content of the imagery rather than the object's function as a vessel.

In addition to the purpose of an object, the impact on its environment is variable, and vice versa. While the surface treatment of my work would be almost innocuous in the context of nature, it heavily contrasts the sterile environment of a gallery. This juxtaposition serves to further intensify my intentions of magnifying the smaller details of nature, simultaneously furthering the natural inspiration and limiting recognizability when the full context is removed. By applying this treatment to forms that began as functional, it further poses the question of what function the object serves.