Come Together: Bringing Ceramics to Life

Clay Art Center Artists Deb Heid, Jess Palmer, and Debra Holiber share their thoughts on coming together and the artistic process.

Come Together, the annual Clay Art Center Artist exhibition, is entering its final week! This exhibition, guest curated by former Artist-in-Residence Kelli Stewart, explores a variety of perspectives on the many different interpretations of the theme "coming together.” This week, Clay Art Center Artists Deb Heid, Jess Palmer, and Debra Holiber shared about their influences and process.

Deb Heid is known for her gently altered, wood-fired functional forms, which reflect her respect and admiration for Japanese pottery. According to Deb, the chance to try a new technique years ago began a journey that would help to shape her work: “Many years ago, I had the opportunity to fire some pieces in a wood fired anagama. I only knew that tea bowls were initially fired in wood kilns. So I thought I would make some tea bowls for the firing. To my chagrin, the kiln master informed me that my ‘tea bowls’ were nice bowls, but not tea bowls… So I decided to learn the art of tea bowls. I took workshops with several respected tea bowl makers. And went on a tour of potters in Japan led by one of the tea bowl makers I studied with. In doing so I learned about tea ceremonies, the history of tea bowls throughout the centuries, and the various vessels and tools that were part of the ceremony. Aesthetically, I was drawn to the work that was naturalistic. I expanded that aesthetic in my own way to other work, yunomi, sake sets, vases, plates, platters, etc.” This influence can be seen in the sake set Deb created for Come Together, entitled Brimming With Joy. According to Deb, drinking sake with another person enriches the experience, so she makes sets of three so that all the pieces are related. When asked about the title, Deb had this to say: “The sake set I made has a lot of color and naturalistic features. It made me smile. It felt right in my hands.”

The exacting and precise work of Jess Palmer is challenging, but it’s almost like meditation for her, and her hope is that her pieces then convey a sense of tranquility to those who use them. Despite the precision her work requires, she does not fully plan them in advance: “Although I might have themes or patterns in mind, many people may be surprised to learn that I usually don’t pre-plan every little detail of my work. I do think there is some spontaneity, specifically with how I approach pattern placement, scale, and style based on the form of each individual piece. I like being able to react and adapt as I go, building from one surface design to the next. My work can constantly evolve in this way, and that’s what excites me about the process.” Jess finds calm in the details, and can get lost for hours working on the surface design of her pieces. Her Sunburst Box includes tiny radiating lines of surface decoration that draw the eye to the handle, which shines with opal luster. Of course, Jess feels the loss of pieces after so many hours of careful work, but she says, “The reward is even more gratifying when it turns out as I hoped.”

Debra Holiber’s submission, Come Together Candlesticks, are an expression of the hospitality and comfort of a share meal: "When I heard the title, ‘Come Together’, coming together at the table was immediately what I thought of. The candlesticks in the show for me represent people gathering, connecting and being nurtured from being together. Candlesticks make everything seem cozy and intimate." The presentation of the table has always been an important theme in Debra’s work, and she finds inspiration in memories of large festive holiday meals with family and friends, which featured tables overflowing with dishes of food and lots of loud conversations. Debra also doesn’t plan her work in advance. She says, "My process for making work is an intuitive one. I don't usually draw anything. I start with an idea that I work through by making, editing and reconstructing - I break it down and build it back up making a series until it evolves to completion." Debra’s contemporary candlesticks stand as solid beacons, holding down the heart of the table with warming light.

Enjoy learning about the artistic process and inspiration behind the artwork? You can read more interviews with Clay Art Center Artists Sally Ng, Rose Foley, Jane Neuss Cohen, Mara Gross, Janet Harckham, and Maria Spiess on the Clay Dish Blog. Come Together is on view in the gallery and online now through April 5th.