Ceramic artists are at the heart of Baltimore Clayworks. Artists are at the center of the mission of Baltimore Clayworks, and provide the organization with talent and innovation to inspire our community and to enliven the artistic impact of ceramics in our region. Their professional and personal networks provide a kaleidoscope of interactions with peers, galleries, and academic institutions, which keep the organization at the forefront of contemporary ceramic art.
Artist Bio
Andy Bissonnette, a recent MFA graduate from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, is a potter and educator currently residing in Lincoln, Nebraska. He is acutely interested in the union of form, surface and utility, and the relationship between clay body and glaze. He is interested in historical uses of pottery, both narrative and utilitarian, and often looks to the past when conceiving his work. His influences are far and many, ranging from Northern Song Dynasty Celadons, the form language developed by the ancient Greeks, to the modernist aesthetic of the Bauhaus in Germany.
“In my pursuit of the idealized pot, where form, surface and function come together to create a usable piece of art, I find the slow pace of my studio practice to be in stark contrast to contemporary values. I want my work to embody the idea that labor and skill are a worthy investment. Handmade pots, especially ones that are meant to be used, hearken back to a time when craft was essential. When the service of food and drink was as substantial as the meal itself.”
