Artist’s Statement
I make decorated functional pottery.
My work is inspired by both the practical and spiritual use of vessels throughout human history. Each piece is saturated with textures, patterns, and colors that invite careful exploration. I find abstraction to be most beautiful when it allows something unexpected to emerge.
I like using shapes like waves, flames, and flowers to create a sense of rhythm and move your eye around the piece. There’s no special meaning behind these symbols, but they’re fun to draw and seem to resonate with people on an intuitive level. It’s exciting when someone turns a cup over in their hands and shares what they see!
Craftsmanship is also a growing focus in my practice. It’s really special to pick up an object and literally feel—in the angle of the rim, the curve of the handle, the finish of the foot—how someone took the time to carefully curate your experience with it.
Bio
Maria was first introduced to clay in high school thanks to an incredible arts program. After completing a semester of foundations art courses in college, she pursued a Bachelor of Social Work and graduated summa cum laude. She continued attending life drawing workshops on weekends, used collage as an outlet after workdays, and took wheel throwing classes at a community studio. She is now an associate artist at The Clay Studio in Philadelphia. Her work has been displayed in Small Favors, as well as in the dishracks of supportive loved ones and generous strangers.
Not a portrait of the artist, but it’s pretty close.