The Work
It can be fascinating to show off the fluidity and plasticity of clay by creating surface designs and alterations, then "freezing" those effects into the clay as it dries. My pieces exploit the paradox of fired clay that appears soft, wet, and flexible. Each piece is great fun to make -- an experiment that incorporates a unique combination of materials, methods, and serendipity in its creation.
My work reflects an interest in asymmetrical forms and expressive surface decoration. I have a fondness for industrial recyclables and found objects, like stamps, shells, gears, nets, auto parts, kitchen tools, and rubber cut-outs to impress surface designs into the clay. I hand-roll each slab, then press and stamp the overlapping textures, and sometimes rip, rejoin, drop, bend, and crush the slab before wrapping or draping over a mold and allowing it to stiffen. The unpredictable and playful nature of this process adds an exciting dimension to the finished piece. Working with textured slabs lends itself equally well to highly-controlled, smooth-edged symmetrical ware, and rough-hewn, altered pieces made with a quick hand.
These pieces are quite functional, safe to use with food (lead-free), waterproof, and dishwasher-safe.
To contact the artist email: Dan Wiener.