Artist Statement

A handmade pot has the unique ability to form an intimate connection between itself and its user. An initial closeness is formed between the piece and the maker as its maker has thought deeply about it – from the way curves and indentations will fit into an individual’s had to the way it will rest on someone’s table. The pot is an extension of the maker’s self. The object then migrates to the user, a new partner who will care for the object for the rest of their life or the object’s life, possibly passing it along to another so that they may cultivate a similar connection.

Engrossed with this idea that pottery can form intimate and multilayered connections, I primarily create utilitarian objects that are a reflection and extension of myself. My process for making vessels generally involves throwing with few controlled alterations afterwards. My main emphasis is on forms which evoke the familiarity of the human figure through its delicate curvature.

I approach the act of making as a form of meditation for myself, recognizing that the extreme precision I desire in my work is rooted in a place of anxiety. When I sit at a wheel, there’s no need to think about all of life’s uncertainties. Throwing creates a relaxed mindset where I only have to think about what’s in front of me. Creating something tangible with my own hands in a material responsive to my touch allows me to exert some degree of control in an otherwise uncontrollable life. The orderliness and calmness I investigate through my work reflects an intense desire to achieve this state in my existence.

When I add glazes and charms to my work, my own constant need to move my hands is reflected, where different textures allow one’s fingers to venture over the surface, calming a restless mind. Direct interaction is necessary to have a full understanding and appreciation of functional pots. When hands roam over a piece through its usage, the viewer is invited to investigate the gentle nuances. I explore subtle complexities in both form and surface, aiming for an understated precision that requires concerted exploration in order to be fully appreciated. Only when a pot is held and used can one recognize its uniqueness.