Clay has a high water content. So, when force is applied, it moves. A free-form slab of the stuff can be unruly and willful. My goal as a sculptor is to find that point of agreement between my desires and the will of the clay.
I work to preserve the fluidity of the slab while manipulating it to express the figure. I resist touching the outer surface except in deliberate punctuation marks because I want the clay to appear to take form spontaneously.
Fire makes the piece permanent. It locks in all the glorious imperfections that attended it’s birthing process and celebrates the collaboration of artist and material.
