emerging artist: Jessica Hodgson

by | Jul 26, 2014 | call for entry, emerging artist, job posting, monday morning eye candy, movie day, residency opportunity, show us your influences, technical tuesday

JESSICA
HODGSON
ARTIST
STATEMENT
WWW.JESSICAHODGSONCERAMICS.COM
Growing up on a conventional family
farm in Southwestern Manitoba, I was raised with a fundamental respect and
understanding of the environment and our food.  After moving to Winnipeg
in 2006, I was surprised by how quickly I lost this sense of respect.  No
longer getting my food straight from the garden or neighboring farms, I lost
touch with the understanding I once took for granted, as
it became easier and more acceptable to drive to the supermarket and fill a cart
with convenience.
At a point where the public is
becoming more aware and more alarmed by what is being labeled as food, I often
find myself disturbed and confused by the information we are surrounded
by.  Coming from a farming
background surrounded by companies like Monsanto, paired with a concern for how
safe many of the foods we are eating actually are, I find myself on a slippery
seesaw of what is right and what is safe.
Frustrated by the topic, I designed
the Stratum line in reference to the
mysterious layer of chemicals, control and deception that seems to be veiling
our food system today.  Typically the white surface of sterility that
covers functional dinnerware is comforting and customary, providing us with a
smooth, safe surface to present our food. 
In Stratum however, this white
surface is only superficial, draping over dark, organic sections, masking them
in uniformity and perceived appeal.
 

guest post – “show us your influences” with Andrew Tarrant

by | Jul 18, 2014 | call for entry, emerging artist, job posting, monday morning eye candy, movie day, residency opportunity, show us your influences, technical tuesday

 My work is heavily influenced by historical and mythological examples, in form,
use and decoration. I wouldn’t class myself as a production potter, nor a

sculptor, if pressed I usually say I’m a vessel maker, or a maker of things.


I do not generally attribute any artists as a direct influence but rather the (almost) faceless artisans of the past. I have a simple Roman bowl that I
purchased in London when I was a student at ACA back in the late 80’s. It sits on my kitchen table, I’ve put nuts in it during parties. I like that it was made in the first century (AD) and it is still in use in the twenty-first century. I like the longevity of clay.

I have major geek cred, I collect and have sold collectable sculptural toys,
comics and such. In the past we never knew the names of the toy sculptors but these days they are proudly printed on most of the packaging. As potters we are
known only by our marks, sometimes by our names, but always by the look of our art. I can usually tell if two different toys were sculpted by the same person.

Back to the late 80’s again, where I met a jewelery student who practiced
martial arts like I did. We practiced together, exchanging styles, and became
close friends. Jeff deBoer is not so much an influence as a brother in design.
Once or twice we have even come up with the same designs at the same time. We
share a similar design sensibility, snobbery of single-malt, and sarcastic
humor.

website – http://www.trespasser.ca
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