Sculptural Ceramics - Sheila Poettgen

Sculptural Ceramics

Handbuiling sculptural forms with clay is one of the most satistying things I've experienced in life. It reminds me to slow down, breathe, and relax. The forms I create are inspired by the diversity of color and pattern found in marine life, especially coral. Most pieces are rolling, listing forms with deep texture and subtle use of slips or glazes. Repetitive patterns are created by meticulously pressing found objects into the clay. This method creates a sort of rocking, meditative movement in which I completely focus on the act of marking the clay again, and again, and again. A single piece can take days or weeks to complete. I associate this process with the slow, persistent way coral is actually formed, patiently accumulating calcium over thousands of years.