semester 2! week one 1/12-1/18

Week one of second semester post bacc year! Yay! Big plans for this spring, aiming to beef up my studio time and really push myself to make more.

My “theme” for this semester is pivoting from the work I have been making. I don’t have all my thoughts together as of right now to explain very cohesively, but I will be taking a lot of formal elements with me from my previous work and amping them up even further. Similar forms, similar ornamentation, but adding more sculptural figurative elements (think figurines). I’m very inspired by porcelain figure lamps and limoges boxes, and jesters/fools.

My subject matter will be more light-hearted, or at least be visually light-hearted and understated, than my previous work. Think themes of nostalgia, romanticizing the past, and the idea of playing to fool to get along.

I will also be using a different clay body! I’m using a white cone 6 stoneware, and will be using a lot of slips and underglazes for my surface decoration, instead of relying mostly on glazes as I have done.

This week in the studio I hit the ground running. I did a bunch of slip tests and color mixing (I missed this so much) to find a good fuchsia color and maybe a good cool, muted green.

First things I’m making this semester are foolish treasure boxes. Bigger than a limoges box (don’t worry I’ll be making these later as well), but much smaller than my urns.

On these treasure boxes will be jester/fool figurines. I’m fascinated by jesters and fools and all the ways they can be interpreted.

The idea behind these pieces is the idea of playing the fool in order to get along, not rock the boat, not stand out, not be perceived as a threat by others. I’ve found that I do this a lot in my life, and I would imagine I am not the only person who does. Playing the fool is a way of putting on a mask and protecting our interior selves from being perceived. If I play the fool and act silly or dumb, then others cannot see my innermost vulnerable self and I feel safe.

The fools stand on top of these treasure boxes, protecting what is valuable inside.

I also figured out a way to help Freddie like to studio more, I bring his bed from home (and treats) so he is more comfortable with being there when I bring him. :)