Hannah Slagell

My practice is centered on projects that embrace a lengthy process of generating multiple iterations. I want to experience the labor and material, paying attention to each step. Creating in this manner, I feel connected, leaving my mark and my fingerprints as I create movement and push the boundaries of ceramics. I want to make the impossible possible with clay. Creating pieces that defy movement, such as bending fired clay and shaping them into new forms, is aspiring as wanting to twist, pull, and see what else clay can do when we push it past its limits. Through the assembly of chain link clay pieces, the work retains the possibility of mobility when pulled or lifted. To create movement, I sew and assemble pieces of clay in a fabric-like manner that can fold, create wrinkles, and contort. Through this process, it feels very intimate to sew each clay piece one by one through the thread that connects it all together.

 

Incorporating perspectives into my work allows me to explore different angles and viewpoints, adding depth and dimension to my pieces. By considering how each piece will be positioned, I can explore various perspectives and create a more engaging and dynamic experience. Linear elements are crucial in guiding and creating a sense of movement and flow. straight, curved, or implied lines help to define the shapes and forms, adding structure and rhythm. Patterns add another layer of complexity and beauty. Patterns often symbolize cultural or personal significance, adding deeper meaning. By skillfully combining perspectives, lines, and patterns, I strive to create visually stunning and thought-provoking forms that captivate and inspire. These elements form a cohesive and compelling narrative, inviting exploration and interpretation from different angles and viewpoints.