Brandon Shappa
Artist Statement
Clay has been a great teacher, as it has guided me to engage with people, and material. It was a method where genuine curiosity arose, and I was in full control of my emotions. My mind constantly races; asking questions, anticipating conversations, and searching for the next question. Working with clay has given me an energy to answer questions.
I have trained the use of my hands to dance with the material, rather than guide it to become something. Pottery has given me a life that fulfills my eagerness, and curiosity towards creation. Analyzing old and new potters alike, I am trying to develop a language that bridges time. This language is spoken by my hands, and clay is the audience that perceives this in-between.
![A salmon colored box that has sunken into itself with white vine detailing on outside.](_images/thebox2-660x495.jpg)
The Box (Front) // Colored Porcelain // 2020
![A “8” shaped ceramic vessel with spikes coming out of the top.](_images/messyhair-660x371.jpg)
Messy Hair // Soda-Fired Stoneware with experimental porcelain // 2019
![A ceramic vessel with a bulb on top.](_images/clearhead-660x371.jpg)
Clear Head // Soda-Fired Stoneware with experimental porcelain // 2019
![A white vase with horizontal lines going across it featuring a few dents.](_images/compressedvase-660x480.jpg)
Compressed Vase // Experimental Porcelain // 2019
![A salmon colored box that has sunken into itself with white vine detailing on outside.](_images/thebox2-660x495.jpg)
The Box (Back) // Colored Porcelain // 2020
![Close up of the spikes on the vessel.](_images/droop-660x371.jpg)
Droop: Clear Head (close-up) // Soda-Fired Stoneware with experimental porcelain // 2019
![A leaning pot with a smaller pot inside of it.](_images/blackpudding-660x837.jpg)
Black Pudding // Black Experimental Porcelain // 2020
![A ceramic vessel leaning to the side.](_images/shake2-660x907.jpg)
Shake // Experimental Porcelain // 2020
![A ceramic vase that is falling into itself.](_images/falling-660x700.jpg)
Falling // Experimental Porcelain // 2020
![A white ceramic piece with holes in it.](_images/chainedbottle2-660x847.jpg)
Chain Bottle // Experimental Porcelain // 2020