Immersion
Lauren J.
Stoneware clay, Glaze
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This handbuilt piece is inspired by my feelings around nature. My intent with this piece was to immerse the viewer in nature and bring it to life, as well as to convey the sense of calm that I feel in nature. During my research, I compiled images of koi ponds, lily pads, and fish from many different perspectives. Then, during the design process, I simplified these forms and submerged the viewer underwater to convey a sense of childlike wonder. I love the silhouette and motion of koi fish from above, so even though the perspective of this piece is partially underwater, I inverted the hand-shaped fish in an almost surreal way. I feel that this adds a dimension of freedom and playfulness to the piece. To add depth to the water, I layered two blue glazes on the organic base of the piece, which has left a flowing effect that is similar to a floating blue, but with brown striations. The harmony of nature stood out to me throughout my research, so to capture the motion of the koi and a sense of balance, I put the two fish in curved positions on either of the form, swimming in opposite directions. This harmony adds to the overall sense of calm and completeness expressed by this piece.
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Creativity is the freedom to express my ideas! Experimenting with techniques and concepts is a fun way for me to gain confidence expressing myself and taking risks. Overall, ceramics is a tool that I use to advocate for social justice issues and investigate ideas that I am passionate about.
