Topsy Turvy

HANNAH HOLSLAG

ARTIST STATEMENT

With only two years under my belt, ceramics became a passion of mine. Starting at minimum requirements, I didn’t really have much of a style or any imagination, matter of fact I followed the instructions very closely. About half way through my first year, I slowly started to part from instructions but still within the boundaries.

By the end of my first year all the way up to now, I noticed that I like to make bold moves with pieces, and in a way there is a part of me in each work of art. I picked away at the instructions as if they became a thin line that was just there for guidance. My pieces went from bland to bold and delicate, not only in build but the look of it makes you wonder what provoked the creation.

All of my work consists of stoneware clay to which I wedge and create different pieces in many different shapes and sizes. But mainly I create pieces with a vast and venturesome mindset. Some of my pieces are inspired by other artist’s artwork, in which I create the next evolution with the artists’ interests, but my main inspiration is taking normal, everyday objects and creating the same version, but on steroids.

Each piece has a basic idea to it, but I put detail into it and create emotion and value within a simple object. My pieces begin with coils and only sometimes with slabs. To start a piece, I have to have a basic concept, but as the piece evolves, so does my imagination, and my piece will turn into something that progresses far more than I ever expected.