Amy Sanders
My work strives to challenge the balance of form and function, thus establishing moments of contemplation through engagement. When making I intend to abstract the language of the classically informed pot. The fundamental functions of a pot—such as pouring, containing, serving, or storing—serve merely as a starting point for an ongoing, engaging experience.
When constructing I am guided by improvisations and intuitions that fluctuate between traditional ceramics, abstraction, and function. As function is taken into consideration, convenience is not always at the forefront of the design. My modular building approach to forms and contrasting surfaces serve as indicators of my acculturative aesthetic. By layering an assortment of surface treatments, I can draw the user into gradual unveiling of information. Through this use of an eclectic aesthetic, I also highlight how the characteristics of diverse individuals can connect users to a larger community.
Much of my form language and surfaces are informed by my attraction to text. As a person of multiple cultures, I developed an understanding of language as symbols. Using the principles of semiotics as a tool, I generate my own library of decoration and forms. Through abstraction, I can create imagery that allows the user to re-contextualize it based on their own history. Thus, initiating a continual, ever evolving relationship between object and user.
Pots have historically facilitated the exchange of culture. While aiming to create contemporary forms, I strive for my work to simultaneously possess the ability to transport the user to different times, places, and cultures. Dually, this broadens the functionality of the object whether its used for ceremonial or daily rituals.
The ways in which my pots function are intended to enhance the experience and relationship between object and user. It is my goal to make work that generates an everlasting exploration through utilization and interaction. The hope is my pieces inspire cognitive flexibility and encourage a rethinking of what is essential in our daily lives.
