by Sherrye WyattType of artwork – what medium, how is it classified? Pottery—functional flatware, elegant & sculptural cookware for the oven and grill
Ceramic spirit houses, glazed
Ceramic beads
Ceramic tiles
How long have you been an artist? I have been an artist for most of my life, working in a variety of media over the years. I was trained as a painter and illustrator and in the past ten years have moved into three-dimential work in clay – making functional clay platters, hand-made tiles, and sculptural spirit houses.
Artist’s Statement: My interest in producing oven-to-table platters comes from my concern for healthy foods prepared safely without the use of Teflon, aluminum pans, or aluminum foil. As an artist, a former director of a craft center, and an environmental activist, I have been influenced by many traditions of the past. Mary Caroline Richards and Meinrad Craigshead continue to be strong influences on my creative path.
My interest in building and creating the spirit houses brings my love of gardens and the out-of-doors into the hand-made slab spirit houses, a unique part of Tai and Cambodian cultures. I also am a great believer in the spirits of place. Each house is unique, built with openings to invite the spirits to reside and bring good luck to the garden or to the home. I write words on some of these houses, both inside and out, to bring intention to the spirits who may choose to reside inside once the spirit houses leave my studio. I take pleasure in doing the research on the Eastern architectural elements of the houses and know that my father, who was an architect and engineer, is an influence on this work. I like the idea of bringing the seen and unseen worlds together in the serenity and beauty of the garden.
What is interesting and distinctive about you and your artwork?
The flameware clay that I use for my functional work is not available in any retail settings and was handed down to me by Karen Karns and Ann Stannard, who developed the formula for the clay that can be used from the oven to the table.
The spirit houses are a unique inspiration developed out of my sense of place –inspired by Whidbey Island. It feels to me like Whidbey Island and the people who live here will understand and appreciate thesse house for the spirits of the Pacific Northwest.
