Eliane Medina
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Imperfections bring us closer together. Being surrounded by people every day, I observe many details about both strangers and acquaintances. I myself am imperfect, have insecurities, and am sure to do something embarrassing almost every day. I find that most anyone can relate to this. Actively learning how to accept the flaws of life as a human being is what first sparked inspiration for my work. In it, I push back against what society deems to be imperfect. I have discovered that there are countless versions of what constitutes “beauty”. My work captures the fact that we are all different, we are all odd, and in those ways we are all very much the same.
In a large portion of my utilitarian work in ceramics, I explore several body types. I love that my pieces are meant to be held and felt, with both the hands and the lips. I want people to eat with them, drink with them, and for the user to find out more about them every time they do so. As we get to know a person we start to see them as a whole. We learn about them and begin to understand their complexities, including their imperfections. This brings us closer together. This is what my pots can do as well. As someone lives with one of my pieces, it will continue to offer new details. Much like relationships between people, my pots become more familiar over time. They are available when needed and often reached for as a part of everyday life.
Each one of my pots has a life story, told through shaping, texturing, and overall molding the clay. I spend a considerable amount of time creating each piece, and I develop a connection with them while doing so. My intention is for my pots to find homes with others, and for the owners to come to know and create their story over years of use.
The tactile and visual qualities of porcelain aid me in their ability to convey the sense of soft flesh. Porcelain is clean, lustrous, and lends itself well to smoothing and alteration. This allows me to create specific textures and colors in a deliberate manner. I use glazes that convey various skin tones, and compliment them with the color for liner glazes. I also consider what I have intended the vessel to be used for when deciding on the color of the interior glaze.
The thought of someone being able to use a piece of art that I have created is what draws me to pottery. Combined with the style I enjoy making, I become excited for my pots to find a place in the lives of others. I strive to create work that resonates with all walks of life, simply because of being human.