In the work I produce, the story of my own life is grafted into this great narrative. Though I find my origins in Tennessee, I spent over 7 years living in Asia. I lived in the cities of Wuxi China as well as Hong Kong. While there, I was able to experience the incredible diversity of arts and cultures of south eastern Asia. These experiences have greatly informed how I view the world as well as how I view my work in clay. My love of Song dynasty porcelain, which I developed during my time in China, has sculpted my sensibilities regarding form. The subjects I choose to make are often linked to my great love for American folk pottery. This intersection of cultures, processes, and material investigation is what I aim to showcase in my work. I believe that through truly considering these things, I can produce work that does not just speak of beauty as an aesthetic experience, but of goodness at large.
I believe that every piece of ceramic has a story to tell. Material tells us a story about minerals that coalesced and were then weathered down to produce this versatile plastic substance called clay. Form has a story to tell as we consider the histories and geographies of the cultures that used particular shapes to achieve particular goals within their societies. Science too tells a story which can be seen in the intricate formulations of clay bodies and glazes as well as in the development of ceramic tools, and techniques. When you experience a piece of ceramic, you don’t just hold an object; you hold a collection of stories that work together to say something new.
