Austin Chambliss

Reasons to Gather

I strive to create a sense of unity between different functional pieces of pottery and tie them together as a set. The sets I create all serve the purpose of gathering people together to take part in a ceremonial practice. These practices can be as mundane as a meal or as formal as a religious ceremony. They are the reasons to gather, and my ceramic sets are the tools used by those who have gathered. Therefore, my art is about the tasks that bring people together to interact with the sets and the function they serve in various rituals

Thesis Committee Members:

Professor Robert Long, Chair

Professor Rowan Haug

Professor Joseph Morzuch

Platter with Tea Set

Ceramic platter with teapot and 4 cups. Teapot uses woven reeds as a handle.

Ceramic with woven reed handle, Size (22"x 10" x 12."), 2021, $500

Communion Set

Platter with goblet, decanter, and bread tray. All have handles made of dyed and woven reeds.

Ceramic with woven reed handles, Size (24” x 10” x 12”), 2022, $600

Funerary Set

Curved platter with candlestick holders and bowl. Bowl contains small trinkets. Candlestick holders contain beeswax candles.

Woodfired ceramic with beeswax candles, Size (24” x 10” x 14”), 2022, $600

Wedding Set

Cake platter, chanpagne flutes, and cake knife.

Ceramic, Size (24” x 24” x 16”), 2022, $500

Dining Set

Lazy susan with pitcher, bread basket, and salt and pepper shakers.

Ceramic, Size (24” x 24” x 18”), 2022, $700

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