Porcelain Geologic Experimentation

During my final year at Lawrence University in 2017, I had the opportunity to make geologic inspired porcelain sculptures for my senior show. I learned a lot as the ceramic department's studio & research assistant, allowing me the time and instruction to make my own clay and glaze. At the time, I was also finishing up my Environmental Studies Capstone, where I created a systems model of Cayman Islands coral reefs. Pursuing this connection, I ended up incorporating coral fossils as texture and context - comparing bone-white clay with the calcified limestone that coral leaves behind. I was fascinated with the parallels between sculpting clay in a studio and the way coral sculpts minerals to form their physical structure. The stark visuals that resulted from these explorations expose the dichotomy of the "flourishing life" perception of coral reefs while coral ecosystems around the world are experiences massive die-offs. These pieces encourage us to consider the relationship between origin and extinction - between living thing and fossil.

"Altars"

"Trinity"

"Veneration"

"Procession"

"Sacrament"