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Pottery is about the moment: a still shot, if you will, of thought,
feeling, and movement. We see things in various forms and degrees of
harmony and each plays a particular role in life. Pottery mimics
our experiences and visions of what role or roles harmony will play. Among
the major influences for my pottery are music and travel.For one, clay, in its raw, wet form shares a similar sensuality to that of music. Each clay particle a note suspended in harmony with the next. My earliest education was with music. My father, a professional percussionist taught me the rhythms and harmonies of sound through various genres in music ranging from modern sound experimentation to regimented orchestral movements. From this, I gained an interest in the violin which took me through university. However, I became frustrated with the duration at which sound could be appreciated. That is, sound is appreciated as it is heard. The moment sound ceases to be played it exists in our memory only. Although it may seem selfish, I found this short duration to be frustrating in that I wanted to have a greater period of physical contact with what I was producing. Through early childhood travels to Europe and the eastern United States, I learned of a different harmony that exists not only auditory but visually. The structure of a cobblestone road, the flying buttresses of a cathedral, a gently woven sand dune all illustrated to me that these structures helped to form an idea of what it is that we seek in harmony. On the eastern coast of Cape Cod Massachusetts., I was fascinated with the ripples in the sand left by water and wind. I found that this later transferred to my work as a young ceramist in Canada. 
More recent travels in Japan have yet again shaped my interpretation of
harmony. In living within Japan I have spent my time learning about the
cultural richness it has to offer. From Kabuki theatre to hiking
throughout Tochigi I have gained a new appreciation with regards to
balance. This along with my previous experiences has come out in my more
recent work. With Kabuki every movement of the actors is beautifully accented with the striking sounds of the musicians and vocalists. This presents an interesting perspective for the viewer as one is focused upon the highlights of human form, expression, and voice. Along with elaborate costuming and the subtle strength of the shamisen and the voice the total experience is overwhelmingly delicate. With this I have likened the relationship between the Kabuki actors and the musicians to that of the marriage between a teapot and its handle. While the main body of a teapot may be appreciated entirely on its own, just as one might appreciate the actors alone, the handle encourages the viewer to pickup on what is being seen and perhaps what is to be experienced. The shamisen player will connote a particular harmony or disharmony to convey a particular mood or feeling. This of course pulls the audience into the atmosphere of the play. I have found that the handle of a teapot shares a similar quality to that of the shamisen player. I wish to play with this idea. Additionally, in Japan things are presented differently to that of North America. A tea bowl is appreciated as its own entity. A kabuki actor will perform on a near bare stage to express a particular feeling. This minimal harmony presents an interesting theatre for the foreign eye. We are forced to focus on the single object and appreciate it as it is. Whereas in Canada we are often presented things in such a fashion that it overloads our senses. Galleries have exhibited works of different aesthetic values together to present a collection of things. While in Japan, the exhibition of things is often presented with the individual object as the primary interest giving the viewer a moment to reflect between each viewing. I have found that these recent experiences have raised questions about harmony in design. What is it that draws the audience to pick up on what is happening? This is a question that I will always carry with me. I look forward to more. (Top of Hyotan) (home) |