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Author: Jenni Ward
Work in Progress: Umbel Series
For those of you that have swung through my studio in the past few weeks you may have noticed an army of spiky flower forms covering my tables and have probably wondered if I’ve lost my marbles. Well, I assure you that there is a method to my madness! This is the start of my new Umbel Series which will be installed at the UCSC Arboretum this spring as a part of Site Specific Environmental Installations; a new exhibit for Art at the Arboretum curated by Susana Arias. This exhibit will be up for an entire year so you can visit the installations and see how they change and respond to the environments as the seasons change. Here are a few photos of the work in progress, and I’ll be sure to share more as things develop.
About the Installation:
I have forever been intrigued by natural structures and the biology of how things work in nature. Lately, I have specifically been looking at umbel shapes in flower structures which is a flower whose shape resembles an umbrella. I’m attracted to these structures for the visual volume they create while remaining delicate and light at the same time. In researching flower structures, I also came upon a story of the wild mustard plants of California. The story has many variations and most are believed to be folklore but the basic premise is that the Padres and explorers to form the Missions left behind a trail of mustard seeds as they traveled from Mexico to California so that the seeds would grow and the bright yellow mustard flowers would color the path between each mission for the 800 mile pilgrimage. I love the idea of being able to track your path through the wilds of the world by following a color. While wild mustard flowers in reality are not the umbel shaped forms I’ve been researching, I loved this story so much I thought I could combine these concepts together to create an impactful installation.
I plan to build 200+ abstract ceramic flowers that will have an umbel form to them using high temperature wire to help create the delicateness of the structure and they will be glazed in the bright yellow color of wild mustard. Each flower form will be supported by a steel stake that will be driven into the ground as a ‘stem’ so the flowers can hover a few feet above ground level. It is my hope that the impact of number of flowers and the yellow spot of color in contrast to its surroundings will create a dynamic installation that will engage the viewer and encourage them to explore the landscape.
Featured Art: Lichen Series
The Lichen Series Installation is composed of 9 vertical stalk shaped structures that are segmented into 9 pieces, three from the series are pictured here. Each of the parts has a variety of ceramic lichen pieces emerging from and fused to them that contrast with the dark stalk structures.
This installation was originally showcased at the Ceramics Annual of America exhibit in San Francisco and now are on display in my studio. The work conjures up images of a forest after a fire when the green and lushness is gone but life is still present. This series plays with ideas of death and regrowth, the power of negative space and the contrast of dark and light.
These pieces are hand-built and hand-carved from high fired stoneware and each piece is original and unique. For more images of this installation…
Lichen Series, 81 piece wall mounted ceramic installation, 84″ x 120″ x 9″, 2013, $2000/stalk. Contact Jenni for purchase & installation details
More Clay, Less Plastic
While I am not a potter, I truly appreciate a well made mug or slurping soup out of a perfectly formed bowl and with all of the disposable plastic products out in the world now, ceramics is of even greater importance for use in our daily lives. The More Clay, Less Plastic movement is something that I can really get behind. After all, clay is the original container for all the needs of kitchen life, why can’t it be that again?
Check out this article about the Italian artist Lauren Moreira who started this movement and next time you need a new container, consider clay!
Ceramics in the News
Process of an Idea
I always get the question, “How long did it take to make that?” and it’s a fair question, with a complicated answer…
The other day, I started building intuitively, meaning that I really didn’t know what I was doing or where I was going with this idea but I kept building anyway. I tried to document the process as I went, taking time to step back and look at what I was working on. This went on for about half a day, then I let this piece sit in my studio and we stared at each other over the course of the next few days after which I promptly threw it in the recycle bin.
For me, this is all a part of the process of creating. The ability to let go so that you can refine it in your head and in it’s physical form is crucial to this process. I don’t think of this piece as being gone forever, I think of it as not being ready to be out in the world yet. I also know that there are parts of this form that are very familiar to me and parts that are new, it takes time for these ideas to come together. I like to ask myself questions about the content of my work, “Why am I making this?”, “What did I see that inspired it?” and “Are there other ways to express this concept?”. All these questions need to have at least some start of answer to them if I’m going to continue investing time into making the work and if I don’t have those answers yet, that’s ok. These questions and these forms don’t go away, they hibernate until they are shaped into something I can verbalize, at least to myself. It may be another decade before this comes to fruition but that’s ok too.
So when you buy a piece of art from an artist and you ask “How long did it take to make that?” remember that you are asking about the hours of experimentation, the hours of failures and the hours of refining that went into the process until the artist was able to make the piece that you are holding.
Lichen Series at PVAC
‘Take Aways: Art to Go’ at PVAC Gallery in Watsonville is up until March 19th and is showcasing over sixty of the county’s most notable artists. I’m so thrilled to be included on this roster of talented artists for the third year. This exhibit is a major annual fundraiser for the gallery and all work is priced to be affordable for every budget.
I am showing 3 brand new pieces from my Lichen Series. These works are ceramic pieces mounted on reclaimed wood, inspired by mushroom spore patterns and designed to add a piece of nature to your wall space.
PVAC Gallery | 37 Sudden St | Watsonville
February 8 – March 19, 2017
Opening Reception February 12th from 2-4
Closing Reception March 19th from 2- 4
Winter/Spring Classes Have Started
This week launched our 10 week winter/spring session of classes at the studio, but don’t worry, it’s not too late for you to join in and B CR8IV!
There are a few spots left in our private/semi-private classes and there is still space to join in on our adult create with clay classes to. All levels are welcome!
For more details…
Featured Work: Bone Series
Did you know these pieces qualify for FREE SHIPPING?
The Bone Series has manifested itself in many variations, from small wearables to large installations. Pieces from this series have been exhibited In the Field and in gallery settings. But regardless of the environment they are displayed in, The Bone Series explores the remains of a form or a forms underlying structures. In turn, the exploration of decaying forms also discusses renewal or new growth.
These three pieces from this series are unique in that they have wire forms growing around the ceramic ‘bones’. They are reminiscent of aquatic creatures finding protection in a rock or coral allowing for new life to thrive in these structures.
250. each | free shipping available until February 28th
Feeling the Love!
Thank you to everyone who came out to our Pop Up Art Show at Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery yesterday! Drinking beer and buying art was a great way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon with you all!
If you couldn’t make it out to pick up some art hearts for your sweeties, you can always order from our online shop or swing by the studio and pick some up.
Happy Valentines!