LeeUCeramics
Flower and Ash
After completing my BFA in crafts/materials, instead of pursuing a career in art, I earned a Master's degree in allied health and worked professionally in addiction treatment and state planning of mental health services. After I retired, I returned to my interest for working in clay, and the self-expression that ceramics lends itself to. Mostly I electric fire, tho occasionally I have the opportunity to get pieces into a wood-burning kiln. About ten years ago I was invited to join in the launch of a huge angama kiln, named Fushigigama (loosely “wonder kiln”), at the New Hampshire Institute of Art’s Sharon Art Center, in the backwoods of rural New Hampshire.
For the first firing, I made a table piece called "Escape Box". This piece is a metaphor for the ability to escape emotional and physical hostage trauma. This theme has informed my work into the present.
The shallow box is made of porcelain, approx. 3x3x3/4". It has a shino glaze on the lid, plus a little bit of bling. The firing produced earthy swatches of black ash against the white of the claybody.
Lifting the lid reveals an excavation, such as a captive attempting to dig out of confinement. The underside of the lid is embellished with a red flower, symbolic of holding onto the hope for escape.
Turn the box upside down and the escape hole is exposed to the external world. This enables others to become aware of the containment and to intervene or offer assistance.
This first work became a favored piece. The rich experience of returning to ceramics and enjoying the anagama firing, meeting experts, professionals, hobbyists, and students in the NH ceramics community, fueled my motivation to “get on with it”, and indulge myself by getting back into art/creative expression.
The Escape Box is the inspiration for the logo for Lee U Ceramics. The logo is called Flower and Ash.
Should help for hope be needed, contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline or text BEGIN to 88788