Homer High School

Artist Statement: Overall as an artist, I am trying to conjure emotional or intellectual stimulus to anyone who looks at my pieces. Each piece says something not only about me, but what I am trying to achieve technically and creatively. I am adamant about providing a natural context for each piece and I am currently working with animals, people, and varying abstract elements. My influences come from not only ceramic artists, but contemporary artists like Cai Guo-Qiang. Cai works with materials to create large exhibits and fascinating canvas pieces. The canvas pieces are what he calls “gunpowder” art, and the colors are a chaotically beautiful mixture of earth-like hues, something that I draw to for inspiration. Aside from his obvious artistic genius he finds ways to integrate various provocative concepts that keep viewers interested long after they visit his pieces. As far as historical influence, I have found my preferred technique, coil building, and I try to make smooth flowing shapes. Along with the pieces themselves, I try to focus on design and work outside of regular aesthetic confinement. I want my pieces to stand out because of their emotional context, and I am considering exploring political and controversial art; something that will resonate with someone on a primal and emotive level.