Ann Nguyen
Bleached Coral
5 x 10 x 4"
Hand Thrown Stoneware with Crystalline Glaze
$350
Shape inspired by fox corals. A pleated bowl form allows glaze to flow freely in the kiln, creating organic texture and patterns on the surface. The white glaze blends into the blue represents the coral bleaching that occurs when corals are under stress. This piece is meant as a reminder to us that 90% of corals will be bleached by 2050.
Artist's Statement:
Pottery has the power to incorporate a special spark into an ordinary day, each piece carrying with it a unique connection or memory. My work is designed to enhance the everyday experience, offering comfort and joy through functional pieces that embrace clean lines and softer colors, providing a moment of rest to the viewer's eyes. These forms reflect the complexities of life – harshly beautiful with continuous, fluid movements that work together to become unified. Each one is inspired by nature, something that I have been in continuous admiration of my entire life. Pottery gives me a moment to enter a state of flow, quieting the constant chatter of my mind in the same way that time in the woods or being by the ocean can bring solace. The noises of daily troubles become dull, if only for a short moment. I am constantly humbled by the challenges this craft brings and each completed project is my pride and joy. Using both hand-building and wheel throwing techniques, each piece is unique. They are then encapsulated in crystalline glaze that not only adds texture but also forms organic, celestial patterns, reminiscent of the lichen, adding another element of nature to each ceramic form.