Artist Spotlight: Joe Pinkelman on Clay Pinched Pots

Joe Pinkelman, Pinching China #4, Porcelain, 12 x 10 x 10"

I worked on these pinch pots while waiting for a Chinese translator to help me out. The past several years I have worked at a ceramic residency in Jingdezhen, China. At any given time there are about 10 artists from around the world working on their individual ceramic projects. Consequently with only two translators, it might take a couple hours until they would be able to help address your individual needs.
After the first couple of days, I found myself getting overly anxious waiting so I decided to sit and start making pinch pots. It worked to my advantage in several ways. The first was to ‘warm’ myself up to ceramics and get my mind into the experience of working in clay. Secondly, it challenged a hand building skill I use many times with my students but not with my own work. Lastly, the process became like a Buddhist meditation for me and I focused on my body, my hand movements, and my environment.

The first pinch pot I made was a Greek amphora but I quickly realized that since I am working in China, I should start making forms that have a historical reference to Chinese ceramics. Thus all of the forms in the exhibition are based on traditional, Chinese ceramic vessels.

Traditional

Joe Pinkelman, Pinching China #6, Porcelain, 12 x 10 x 10"

Traditional

Joe Pinkelman, Pinching China #2, Porcelain, 12 x 10 x 10"

Today is the last day to see Pinching China, Joe's exhibition at TAG.

You can view more of his work here, on TAG's website.

Artist Spotlight: Della Rollé's "Laughter Heals Life" Step By Step

Della Rolle, Laughter Heals Life, Stainless steel, 28.5 x 12.5 x 12.5"

I have always loved sculpting the human form. Bronze, terra cotta, acrylic, wood and stainless steel all create beautiful surfaces on the figure. I am enjoying laser cut metals and wood for some of my figures more recently. On Laughter Heals Life, the words welded into the figure are: Laughter Heals Life (on the front of the piece) and Life is Uncertain so Eat Dessert First (on the back).

Here is how I made this piece:
I first drew the figure, and then sculpted the figure in floral foam.

Next I selected the sayings, the font, and the laser cut letters for my sculpture.

Then I started the welding process where every letter had to be carefully molded over the floral foam before welding.

Then I had the welding marks removed by coating the piece in stainless steel with a finish process called electro polishing.

I completed the piece by mounting it on a beautiful rotating marble base. 

The surfaces and contours of the piece reflect light and the words on the piece will hopefully make you smile!

This piece can be currently seen in Della's exhibition at TAG Gallery through October 24.  
There is an Artists Reception on Saturday, October 3 from 5-8 pm, 
and an Artists Talk on Saturday, October 17 at 3 pm.

Have any questions for Della?
Leave them here in the comments.