SCULPTED POTTERY BY GABRIELLE HAIDU

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

After working with clay for a number of years, I have developed a strong preference towards handbuilding. It requires considerably more time to build a vessel by hand, then by throwing. However, the artistic freedom, that the handbuilding method grants, allows me to create unusual forms and surfaces.

I am interested in a variety of topics and sciences, and this reflects in my work. I use different handbuilding methods, glazes and firing techniques to achieve harmony within form, surface and colour. In accordance I make pinched raku vessels and ancient looking decorative vases, masks and platters with inlay.

For my vases and vessels I use bronze or antique bronze glaze for the exterior and semi transparent cobalt-blue or turquoise inside these pieces because these colours compliment each other and the form, and are consistent with my theme.

My chemistry background is a blessing in this respect, for I understand the principles of creating glazes; I have developed these glazes to be compatible with the high fired clay-body and at the same time to adorn and unify my creations.

My vision is to construct slender and graceful forms with rugged, chipped, broken up exterior; to reincarnate the ageless beauty of times that history cannot recall. I summon up the fairy tales of my childhood, the mythology of ancient times, and the sacredness of Mother Earth.

I use individual identification marks on my pieces and a numbering system to identify each of my work.

Although my work falls in the category of decorative pottery, they have functional purpose as well; for instance, my decorative vases and vessels hold water, and cut flowers would interact with them, enhancing the beauty of both, rendering the assemblage unique and special.