Ever
since moving into Anderson Center for the Arts at Hartwick College
in 1973, I’ve had the goal of building a ceramic mural outside
the ceramic and glass studio. The niche incorporated into the
first floor corridor wall for this purpose measures about 8.5
feet high by 25 feet wide. To work with and reveal the earthy
and tactile qualities of clay, my design has been inspired by
rock outcroppings on the Hartwick College campus near the Johnstone
(Miller) Science Center, from rocky areas in upstate New York,
and even an image of a moonscape. I have used clay and cast, cut
glass to make my vision of the rocky outcroppings and sky, so
common to this state, a tangible memory and a persuasive metaphor
for the material I’ve used educationally for many years.
This metaphor enfolds and encompasses the majesty of our surroundings.
I look forward to sharing my vision of how ceramic and glass art
may speak to you and to everyone in different ways by means of
this mural project.
Work was begun in July 2005 with over 100
slip tests run to determine colors to use. In August the 30’wood
easel was constructed. From September through December over 2 1/2 tons of
clay were sculpted by hand and with garden tools. In January 2006 the
process of cutting the sculpted clay into irregular pieces and hollowing
out the back of each was begun. This was completed by August 2006. After
the segments were hollowed out they were re-fitted into place to compensate
for distortions occurring during handling. This realignment of all the
parts was finished during December 2006. During the spring of 2007 the
mural was air-dried, bisque fired, then high-fired in a C/10 reducing
atmosphere. After installation in Anderson during the summer and fall of
2007, it was officially unveiled October 20, 2007. The project was funded
in part by a faculty research grant. In addition, others including former
students, student and community volunteers and friends contributed time,
money and product to enable me to make my vision a reality.
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Click on image to view gallery
Click on image to view gallery
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