Artist's Statement

Primarily, I am interested in the influence of 17th and 18th century Japanese ceramics on the Western ceramic aesthetic, and how contemporary ceramics express cultural values. The use of symbolism in African art and in some 20th century art movements also influences my work. I feel at liberty to utilize images and ideas from the vast storehouse of artistic tradition known to us, whether the source is a Kyoto tea bowl, a Picasso sculpture, an Escher drawing, or a commercial photograph. In an age of specialization, it is delightful to be able to transpose ideas from a variety of sources in order to create new work.

The forms I produce are intimate domestic objects meant to be used as "special occasion pieces", that work as small decorative sculptures when not used as tableware. Wide mouthed bowls, plates, and tall vases serve as canvases to explore my interests in space, illusion, and perception. The surface designs usually involve a shallow depth of field and employ techniques from painting and drawing, printmaking, and textile design. I work in an urban environment, and use a clay body which has the characteristic whiteness of porcelain which I fire in oxidation to 1230 degrees C. On occasion, as a relief from the intensity of the complex decorating process characteristic of my porcelain, I enjoy making raku pieces because of the sense of immediacy implicit in the process.

I regard clay as a vehicle for communication between people, between cultures, and across the centuries. For me, it provides a means for constantly evaluating our place in our time.

Susan Card