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.
Click to view A salmon colored box that has sunken into itself with white vine detailing on outside. Full-Screen
The Box (Front) // Colored Porcelain // 2020
Click to view A “8” shaped ceramic vessel with spikes coming out of the top. Full-Screen
Messy Hair // Soda-Fired Stoneware with experimental porcelain // 2019
Click to view A ceramic vessel with a bulb on top. Full-Screen
Clear Head // Soda-Fired Stoneware with experimental porcelain // 2019
Click to view A white vase with horizontal lines going across it featuring a few dents. Full-Screen
Compressed Vase // Experimental Porcelain // 2019
Click to view A salmon colored box that has sunken into itself with white vine detailing on outside. Full-Screen
The Box (Back) // Colored Porcelain // 2020
Click to view Close up of the spikes on the vessel. Full-Screen
Droop: Clear Head (close-up) // Soda-Fired Stoneware with experimental porcelain // 2019
Click to view A leaning pot with a smaller pot inside of it. Full-Screen
Black Pudding // Black Experimental Porcelain // 2020
Click to view A ceramic vessel leaning to the side. Full-Screen
Shake // Experimental Porcelain // 2020
Click to view A ceramic vase that is falling into itself. Full-Screen
Falling // Experimental Porcelain // 2020
Click to view A white ceramic piece with holes in it. Full-Screen
Chain Bottle // Experimental Porcelain // 2020