Elizabeth Lessard: capstone
Date
2022
Authors
Lessard, Elizabeth, artist
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Abstract
The artist's statement: My current body of work is wheel thrown place settings for the table. Each are based on different historical or traditional ceramic forms. I look for pots that I find striking: an unusual form, an interesting surface decoration, or an exciting material. The choice of creating these pieces on the wheel is important. The wheel is a tool that has been used by potters for thousands of years and is an active part of the living history of ceramics. I've chosen five different historical traditions from across the globe, selected specific ceramic pieces from each culture, and then used those pots as inspiration for each place setting: American traditional, Mexican folk, Japanese Oribe ware, Song Dynasty, and ancient Crete. All of the decisions I made in reinterpreting my place settings are informed by their historical source. This involves how I chose the specific clay body and surface decoration for each set. On my Oribe set, for example, I used a stoneware clay, a black slip motif, and a green copper glaze to mimic the surface of the specific oribe ware objects I was referencing. From there the pieces are fired in different kilns to help reflect the finishes of the historical pieces.I am working through these ideas to gain a greater understanding of the history of pottery and craft. In a bachelor of fine arts program, there is often a gap of information on craft history in the traditional survey courses. Ceramics is so closely tied to history and tradition as it is a material that humans have been creating with since as early as 28,000 BCE. It is hard to avoid historical influence in a ceramic practice, but I am trying to go beyond that basic impact in my current body of work. These five different dinnerware sets became a collaboration between me and the historical references that I chose. I chose five styles to focus on because my familial dinner table is set with five places. All of us coming together is a significant part of my life and has a large impact on the way that I look at the world. The learning and growth that happens in those spaces of coming together creates a deeper understanding. Different ceramic histories come together for me to give me a similar deeper understanding of my own artistic practice. While all five of us are separate people and all five of these styles are unrelated they come together to form a wealth of knowledge. I am trying to physically represent these melding histories by giving them a literal seat at the table.
Description
Colorado State University Art and Art History Department capstone project.
Capstone contains the artist's statement, a list of works, and images of works.
Capstone contains the artist's statement, a list of works, and images of works.
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Subject
pottery