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Artist’s
Statement
My work represents a next
generation of ceramic artists, who fuse today's technology with one of the
oldest traditions in art: ceramics. To some the computer is completely
foreign while others have grown up in front of one. This familiarity will
lead to the creation of new modes of expression in the ceramic arts.
I use the computer in my artwork to illustrate, manipulate, and compose
the elements for each piece . It allows me to create several versions of a
concept while refining it along the way until there is a version that
successfully conveys my vision. Over the years my work has become
increasingly narrative with the subjects drawing from my personal life.
Once the concept is complete I send my computer files out for film
positives. I use the film separations to create silkscreens used in
transferring the images onto large sheets of wet clay. The process can
take several hours and is rather delicate as the clay is quite soft and
records every push and pull. One accidental slip can ruin a piece. Because
my printing medium is actually glaze, not ink, all sorts of challenges are
introduced, contributing to the lengthy process.
I like to work wet-on-wet as it greatly increases my creative freedom
within this combination of old and new media. For example, I can emboss a
cardboard trompe l'oeil affect on the surface of the clay to create
the illusion of cardboard, resulting in what appears to be another medium.
Finally, once the printing is complete I often give additional volume to
the work so it visually pops off a wall, giving it a slightly
3-dimensional quality when it is hung in place.
I like to make work that makes people think, being that much of my work
deals with personal things in my life I often use a complex layering of
semiotics to convey the meaning. The basic idea sits on the surface and
with successive levels buried in symbolism. I give clues to the viewer and
let them unravel the mystery.
Most if not all my pieces deal with themes that are common to the human
experience and because of that people can relate to the message. I think
the role of art is to convey or evoke emotion and I hope all of my work
succeeds on this level.
In addition to the common experience each viewer brings their personal
experiences to each piece of art. I am often pleasantly surprised by what
others get from the meaning of the work. Through others I have seen things
in the meaning of my work that had been transparent. I work rather
intuitively and sometimes the meaning of things reveal themselves to me
long after the work is completed.
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