Contemplation

I am not showing any works-in-progress this week because I really do not have anything to show.

The existential dread has finally started to set in. A lot of the exciting firsts have come and gone. The semester is slowing down to predictable groove. So, all of that allows the mind to wander.

However, my studio mate Sarah reminded me of an important lesson. To slow down, and look back on what you have done.

To take time and…

Contemplate.

My plate and stand series was inspired by firing posts/supports. Many of these stands are used to lift pots off the shelf to allow for:

• greater glaze coverage

• protection from glaze running

• more flame interactions and atmospheric particulate

However, a commonality between them is that they’re all disposed of after the firing. I wanted to take this idea of a disposable stand and to flip it on its head-making the stand a part of the final piece. I added clay to and carved clay out of the positive of the plate to create landscape for the plates to sit on. My hope was to capture the flame path and all of its interactions with the undulating surface.

Beyond the physical relationship between the plate and stand, I believe it creates a metaphorical commentary on relationships. The idea that two distinct bodies come together, affecting one another-a parental bond, the love of a significant other, friendships, societal pressures, etc.

These are my initial thoughts on this new body of work and I still need more time contemplating. Moving onto a new body of work really emphasizes the main motifs I love to play with.