BRIAN
WESTRICK
The potter’s wheel offers a place of continuity, where I use memory and revisitation as a sturdy point of origin from which new investigations can be launched. It is with a wandering and perpetual sense of curiosity that I choose to place a reliance on the vessel. During the throwing process, forms are created that explore the rhythms found within both the domestic setting and within my studio. Series are used to further understand form, and determine what the next cycle of making might hold. Repetition and reflection ensure that new seeds are planted to develop understanding, while never losing sight of the bounty that was gained from previous endeavors. Whether it be the sustained reliance on a vessel within a household or the seasonal changes that happen in the surrounding environment, there is a cyclical nature in being a potter. The vessels I create serve as witnesses to the humanness of this observation.
PROCESS
Each piece of work starts with throwing on a treadle wheel. This foot-powered wheel moves slowly, lending a visible rhythm to each piece. Some forms are altered into non round shapes through paddling or cutting while others are left round. After forming, Brian adds texture to the clay’s surfaces through the use of handmade ribs or stamp tools. Some forms receive slip prior to bisque firing. Glazes are applied in various ways: dipping, pouring, or brushing. Often the glazes are applied in multiple layers, which helps build visual depth and create layers of color. All work is fired in an electric kiln to Cone 6.
