Emily Hampson Ceramics

Artist Statement: 

 

In my work, I strive to bridge the gap between functional and conceptual work, between craft and art, and between historical utilitarianism and contemporary visual aesthetics. Process is probably the thing that drives my work the most. I am very inspired by the material that I work with and enjoy testing its capabilities. I am always amazed by the limitless techniques and the vast variety of finished products that can be achieved using this basic material. I feel as though, in almost 15 years of working with clay, I have yet to even scratch the surface of the potential of this amazing substance. 

      In my sculptural work, I like to reference branching patterns that I see in nature; from leaf veins and tree branches, nervous systems and arteries, to river deltas and lightning bolts. I use this branching pattern in my work to allude to the channeling of life and energy as it does in nature as the underlying framework and organic building blocks holding together the natural world. Humans tend to use geometric, measured, and seemingly more “perfect” designs in the things we craft and build. But, we have yet to create something that can, like nature, not only sustain itself, but grow and develop and isn’t in a constant state of entropy from the moment it is created. In contrast, I also enjoy carving and creating these geometric patterns and inviting the viewer to ponder the differences that can be found in the man made versus the natural world.

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Artist Bio:

 

Emily Hampson is a ceramic artist from Landenberg, Pennsylvania, now living and making pottery in the Harrisburg area. She was first introduced to the potter’s wheel when she was 13 years old and she has been throwing pots ever since. She was self taught for the first several years, then began taking pottery lessons before, eventually, studying ceramics in college. Her work is primarily wheel thrown stoneware and porcelain, fired to cone 10 in a gas kiln. Many potters and pottery traditions have influenced her work. 

      She received a bachelor of arts in studio art from Messiah College in 2015. She then went on to be the artist in residence at the Harrisburg Area Community College for one year, ending the program with a solo show in the Fenetre Gallery. Since then, she has been teaching ceramics at the York campus of HACC, and pottery classes at the Carlisle Arts Learning Center, while pursuing her MFA in ceramics at Hood college.