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High Fashion Teapots by EMILY NICKEL
Artist Statement
"My name is Emily Nickel and I am a Missouri- based ceramic artist. I feel a profound connection with clay, as working with clay represents a certain connection to the earth. It is an honest and versatile medium, with a long, rich history that I am excited to take part in. Since clay is so versatile, I do not like to corner myself as a “sculptural” or “functional” artist exclusively. While the human form as well as objects from nature greatly inspire me and inform the majority of my work, I am also drawn to the idea of a piece of handmade work becoming a part of everyday life, and continue to make functional pieces as well.
In my figural work, I am mainly focused on depicting the rarity of nature in tandem with the uniqueness of the human body. Close examination of natural forms is something that fascinates me: for example, noticing the particular texture of an acorn cap or the translucent coloring of a fish's fin. The human figure is similarly complex, with subtleties varying from person to person. I make a great effort in my work to carefully represent the delicate texture and shape of the objects I sculpt. By placing these complex human and natural forms in close relationships with each other, I am making a statement not only about the preciousness and intricacy of these forms, but also about my belief that humans and nature must exist in a symbiotic, rather than competitive, relationship.
In my functional work, I am motivated by the idea of “comprehensive dining.” That is, when enjoying a meal or beverage, as many senses as possible should be stimulated. Enjoying tea, for example, is as much about the appreciation of the tea's flavor as it is about the admiration of the teapot. Like in my figural work, I tend towards intricacy and detail, which I use in functional work to raise the appreciation for the moment. As well as believing that dining is enriched by art, I also believe that art is enriched by dining: that by coming off of the pedestal and onto the table, the art takes on a an entirely new and more personal level of meaning." |
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