Artist Statement


A comprehensive understanding of the traditions handed down from artist to artist has offered me a strong foundation of knowledge. I approach this insight not as a guide to the path ahead, but instead as a reference to the path behind. My formal education in design concepts and art theory has played a crucial role in guiding my work while allowing it to continue developing intuitively as I explore the near limitless possibilities that clay offers as an artistic medium.  By continuing to investigate the interactions between different materials and processes I am able to improve not only my visual vocabulary, but also my understanding of my craft. 

There is both a visceral pleasure and intellectual challenge offered up by this tandem of intimate manipulation of materials and focused study of process that continues to provide me with inspiration and an eagerness to pursue my work. That interplay and search for a greater understanding of these many variables continues to bring ever more interesting questions which leads my work in new directions.

Many wonderful although unexpected results come out of potter's kilns and to ignore these accidental lessons that the kiln teaches is a shameful waste of opportunity. Even the most capricious ceramic firing processes can be guided by the informed decisions of the artist. The question is one of finding the right personal balance between rigid control of the work and acceptance of allowing these marks of process to contribute what they will to the unique character of the piece.

I encourage this not only in the glazing and finishing of my work, but also in the creation of each piece. Whether it be the strong, spiraling lines allowed to remain as evidence of the works origins on the Potter’s Wheel, or the serendipitous marks left behind by fingers and tools, as well as the intentional alteration of forms and application of surface textures; these elements bestow an organic aspect which adds a liveliness and energy to the smooth symmetrical forms I focus upon as the foundation for my vessels based works.

--Scott Thorpe