Thalassophile
This was the start of my Pottery of the Sea series. This was a my capstone project started during my senior year at the University of North Georgia as my capstone. Unfortunately, they were left uncompleted during 2020 due to Covid-19 and being let down by my university's administration. Luckily, my professor, Alex Kraft, fired my works for me after I was forced to leave campus and abandon my project. The only reason I have these photos is due to her kindness and empathy. Even though Thalassophile was never seen by the public, I hope the world can see them at least through my website. I have hopes to complete them someday soon.
Artist Statement
I am a Thalassophile; a lover of the ocean who could watch the waves pass by for hours and never be tired. I remember wiggling my toes in the sand and collecting precious moments with my family. My artwork is meant to showcase the beauty of the ocean and to enact change with how we treat the world.
The sea and my artwork have something in common: Ramé. My artwork is something that is both chaotic and joyful at the same time. I am bringing together ceramics and movement to invite others to enjoy an underwater world to the surface. The colors are bright and splattered to resemble the joyful movement of the ocean and chaos revolving in our own lives.
Wabi-sabi 侘寂 is the discovery of beauty within the imperfection of life and art. Sometimes the word is overused but ceramics has taught me detachment and patience. The organic nature of clay causes the art to take a life of its own. I never truly know what the result will look like at the end of the process. Like the course of life, I must be prepared to veer of the path and be hopeful for the future.
It is possible that the soul, creativity, and love put into each work causes clay to take a life of its own. Meraki is infusing the essence of yourself into your work hoping that others can understand as well. Afterall, art grows out of the soul of the artist and takes on a new form to inspire others.
The beauty of it all is conveying passion and is Duende, deeply moving others through your work. I hope to showcase how I felt when learning about the ocean’s sickly state and initiate change in simple ways. Throughout the past few months, the ocean has begun healing itself due to the limited human interaction. Let us keep the momentum and live in a healthier world.
I want the viewer to feel Lypophrenia, a vague feeling of sadness almost without a cause when looking at the sea turtle. He swims on his own without knowing any homely human interaction but plastic and hooks. I hope that the vague sadness will ignite those to educate themselves and turn into happiness when seeing simple actions work.
This journey has taken a different path but I am hopeful that my work will impact the world in a positive way.
