artist statement...

The 10,000th Try... “Lip Rests” exhibition with The Nevica stemmed from from two primary sources. Firstly, The Nevica Project is an online virtual world gallery, conversely I usually finish my works in a more historical, romantic manner. Firing my ceramics in the wood kilns around the world over the past 20 years has given my a soul, eye and ways a different lens to articulate, judge and be part of the modern “Petrochemical Homo Sapien Bubble”

In creating this body of work I completely stepped away from the “fashionable” traditional wood fire approach I so live. These hollows, bowls if you will to a certain extent were composed of all “Petrochemical” products from industry. Clay, slip, glaze pencil, glazes, decals and the multiple electric bakings primally compose the formalities of these objects. The actual spirit/intellect of the pieces is completely steeped in my limited appreciation and practice of some of the eastern ways and plays.

Secondly the pieces were also in a certain manner a subtle collaboration with Jayson from The Nevica Project. His suggestion of using decals instead of slip for the lettering was paramount in their completed success. The words I have chosen to inflict on my viewers are fun, personal and are of calculated historical significance. Also in creating this series of pieces in the manner I did, we are able to keep the prices affordable due to the process and time involved. I hope dear reader that you find humor, cultural history, and a sense of understanding/identity in these odd, rare baked pieces of earth.

Jay L. Strommen