So we begin!
Clay has been part of a transformation in my life. The work of creating pots has taken me on an amazing journey of self-discovery. On the way, I have met wonderfully generous potters who continue to inspire me. Several years ago, at a special showing at the Freer Gallery in Washington, DC, I was fortunate to be able to hold in my hands a thousand-year-old Chinese pot. Feeling the pot's weight and tracing the marks left by that ancient potter was a powerful and uplifting experience because I felt that the pot was able to connect me to the unknown potter of centuries past. I believe that these connections between the maker and the user explain the attraction of handmade pottery and handmade work in general.
Because I came to pottery late in life, it is more a way of finding my bliss than of earning a living. It is a joy to find that people like my work and want to own my pieces, but pottery's main purpose in my life is to keep me centered.
3 comments:
Graciela, I love your blog and I must say when I read about your experience at the Freer, I just had to write you. Back in the late 70's, I visited the Freer with a group from the Univ. of Delaware. We were taken down to this special room and sat around a table with very thick padding. The next thing I knew was that we were passing around ancient pots that I had studied about in textbooks! I was in total awe but then I saw the fingerprints in the clay that were over a thousand plus years old. At that moment, I felt such a connection with the potters of the past. Quite a moment in my life. Anyway, when I read your experience at the Freer, I just had to share. I felt so honored and blessed to be able to participate in that experience. Thanks for putting that experience in your blog. It made my day! Barbara (aka muddyfingers)
YES! That's exactly it! It was the most amazing thing! You're the first person I know who's gone through that and had the same experience I did!! I went with a group of potters from our local guild, but I don't remember anyone else having the same reaction I did.
There were two other things I found amazing that maybe they showed you too: One was a small bowl that had broken in half and someone, many years ago, way before the advent of super-glue, had carefully "stapled" it back together with metal. Did you see that?
The other was a kiln disaster... several very beautiful pieces that had fused together during what I assume was a shelf collapse in the kiln.
Oh! I am so glad youtold me your story!
Graciela, I don't remember those two pots, but if you have the book 'Clay and Glazes for the Potter' by Daniel Rhodes, the 1973 revised edition, I remember passing around the large storage jar 'Tamba ware'from Japan and a blue earthenware bowl from Mesopotamia with a heron painted on it. But the one that really jolted me was the pot formed before Christ. That was the piece that a fingerprint could be clearly be seen. I think it was either earthenware or terracotta..not sure, but it didn't have any glaze on it. Anyway, I'm happy to have found someone who shared this experience...gotta love etsy for many reasons, but this is a new one!! Take care and I'll be checking in on your blog now and then! Barbara :) I have a blog too...www.muddyfingerspottery.blogspot.com I teach pottery and it's really for my students who perhaps missed a lesson or anyone who may be interested in some fun projects. Please visit!
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