LINSDEY BASS: Potter
Artist
Statement
I make
functional ceramic objects. I create these objects to enhance the daily life of
their user. I am inspired by the words of William Morris when he said, “Have
nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be
beautiful.” It is my belief that surrounding yourself with things made from the
earth makes for a happier and more enjoyable life. The objects I make are meant
to be shared. I intend for them to bring people together in social situations
such as sitting for a cup of tea with a dear friend or having a full meal with
family. I believe that clay brings together communities of people and
fellowship, whether you are a maker or just appreciate the handmade.
I choose
to make my ceramic wares with a porcelain clay body. Porcelain possesses
certain qualities of plasticity and malleability that lend itself to my process
of manipulating the surface of the vessel. I use flashing slips, stains,
underglazes, and glazes in a high fire soda kiln to accentuate the textured
surfaces of my pots. In my process I wheel throw and alter my forms by faceting
and slicing the clay after which I push texture surfaces through from the
inside of the vessel. This creates a sense of vulnerability to the work, an
exposure to the interior of the form.
My pots
consist of dinnerware, vessels for plant life, and other useful objects for the
home. I choose to work with clay for many reasons. Working with clay takes time
and patience. The process turns into a daily practice much like a ritual. It is
a labor of love. Clay is both limited and limitless. My ceramics practice
teaches me lessons on a daily basis, such as being humble, patient, strong, and
resilient. You must learn to problem solve with every new idea. 
My
ceramic work is influenced by Japanese culture, the values of the British Arts
and Crafts Movement, and aspects of design associated with Mid-Century Modern.
I enjoy Japanese traditions such as the tea ceremony, landscape, architecture,
and life philosophy. The values of the British Arts and Crafts movement also
inspire my work. The philosophy of this movement is ultimately a critique of
industrial production, which favors functional objects made by hand integrated
into utopian community design. My forms are guided by dinnerware commonly
associated with Mid Century Modern. This manifests in my work due to my
interest in making full sets of serving ware including cocktail trays and
dinnerware.
My
parents have been avid gardeners my entire life. I grew up with a yard
constantly filed with beautiful flowers, fruits, and vegetables. As a result of
my parents’ love for gardening and cooking I had many meals prepared with their
bounty. Observing their garden and reaping the benefits made a long lasting
impression on me. This has taught me the importance of hard work and taking
pride and joy in the finished product. This directly inspires me to create
functional ceramic vessels to serve and present thoughtfully prepared meals and
vessels to grow plants in. My goal as a maker is to share the treasures of
growing or creating something with your own hands. When we share our creativity
and hard work with those around us it brings people together and creates a
community. I believe that filling one’s life with the home grown and the
handmade adds value and appreciation to daily actions and encourages us to slow
down and enjoy life.
“The
true secret of happiness lies in taking genuine interest in all the details of
daily life.” -William Morris
*Photos and Artist Statement provided by Lindsey Bass
No comments:
Post a Comment