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Ups and Downs

I struggle with a disease called keratoconus. My cornea is thinner in one spot, and outside stimuli from when I was younger have caused light to be reflected twice in one area. This makes dark versus light contrast hard to visualize and impairs some aspects of my life even with glasses. I worried about going blind, so I now use texture in my art to counteract that fear.

I started to crochet recently and then discovered the extent of how much my grandmother crocheted. She created many blankets and clothes filled with careful consideration for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I also came across some of her books referencing sewn objects and crochet projects in the round. This caused me to think more about crochet in a 3-dimensional form and how this texture could interact with ceramic vessels. I work to push myself away from the practical functions of both pottery and crochet and focus solely on the material and practices of each piece.

Thesis Committee Members:

Professor Robert Long, Chair

Professor Rowan Haug

Doctor Benjamin Harvey

Healing 1

Clay, Cotton yarn; 6” x 6” x 9” ; 2022

Healing 2

Clay, Cotton yarn; 7” x 5” x 7”; 2022

Healing 3

Clay, Cotton yarn; 7” x 9” x  9” ; 2022

Healing 4

Clay, Cotton yarn; 5” x 6” x 8” ; 2022

Healing 5

Clay, Cotton yarn; “9” x 8” x 7” ; 2022

Growth

Clay, Rayon and Cotton yarn; 24” x 49” x 9” ; 2022

Broken 1

Clay, Cotton yarn; 8” x 5” x 5” ; 2022

Broken 2

Clay, Cotton yarn; 7” x 6”x 5” ; 2022

Broken 3

Clay, Cotton Yarn; 9” x 7” x 7”; 2022

Chained

Clay, Cotton yarn; 12” x 6” x 7” ; 2022

Twisted 1

Clay, Cotton yarn; 5” x 6” x 7” ; 2022

Twisted 2

Clay, Cotton yarn; 7” x 7” x 7” ; 2022

Twisted 3

Clay, Cotton yarn; 5” x 5” x 8” ; 2022