Teresa Shannon Exhibit, July 2017
Artist Talk:
Artist Statement: “My work is either thrown on the potter’s wheel and gently altered or built with soft slabs of clay. My finished pots suggest the look of the wet, fresh clay; they show the way that soft clay can stretch and nestle into your hands. I use matte glazes with muted colors on the exterior of the forms to emphasize the softness of the clay. The interiors are finished with glossier glazes, suggesting a wet, fruit-like, interior. I am forever intrigued by the subtle atmospheric effect created where two or more glazes meet and melt together.
I often embellish the forms by applying hand-made sprigs (like a three-dimensional stamp) of small animals to my work. The inspiration for these sprigs comes from the creatures that live in the woods around my house. Recently, I have been adding little dinosaurs to my pots (because dinosaurs are cool and fun!) I am excited by the way that these creatures can draw a user in and bring a sense of joy to the work. Each pot becomes a character or a companion to accompany the user through their morning coffee or family dinner.”