"Thethered" - 2024

This work consisting of ceramic chains and vessels, comprises a unique display and collection of work that pushes the limits within the medium.

Written Statement: Delving into the stark reality of addiction, my process within this piece grapples with the profound weight of being shackled to an intangible, yet dictating force that consumes one’s existence, wreaking havoc on both mind and body. The versatile medium of ceramic clay conveys the immense weight and tension that addiction imposes on the human form. Addiction, in its myriad forms, inflicts profound distress upon individuals, ensnaring them in a cycle of captivity that stifles their freedom and potential. The interconnectedness of slipcasted chains and glazed vessels serves as a poignant metaphor for the burdensome weight of addiction, a tangible representation of the oppressive pressures that encumber us. Within these vessels lies the embodiment of the altered human form wrought by dependency, a testament to the transformative power of addiction to reshape and distort our very essence. Just as clay embodies the raw, organic essence of the human body, its inherent imperfections lumps, folds, and contours mirror the complexities of our physicality. Yet, when confronted with the relentless onslaught of negative habits, this symbiotic relationship between body and material gives way to decay and distortion, manifesting in the sloping, contracted forms that emerge, pathways carve through these forms, a harrowing reminder of the profound fractures and erosion of self that accompany descent into the abyss of addiction. In essence, this speaks to illuminate the unseen weight and complexities of addiction. The arrangement of three vessels on either side of the chains and single displayed vessels symbolized the range of experiences linked to addiction: from vitality to destruction. The glazing, with muddy colors and chunky spots, evoked decay and molding, while the thinner glaze highlighted the vessels’ jagged and curving contours, representing resilience amidst vulnerability. Through ceramic art, this composition prompts reflection on the complexities of addiction and the impact that it possesses on everyone within society.