Looks like a stingray — has an underwater organic quality. Visual reading after the fact, not intentional representation.
Type
clay sculpture
Process Notes
Subtractive. Carved from a completely square block.
Date Created
Summer 2024
Ownership
Still in artist’s possession.
Finish
Kiln fired. Unfinished — survived the kiln but next step not yet committed to.
Finish Challenge
Fired clay offers no natural texture, grain, or color to embellish — just light grey. Coming from woodworking where finish enhances what the material already offers, the blank surface demands generating color rather than discovering it. Has tried india ink blackening with dry-brushed color on the inverse piece (pit bull) but it came out mauve and felt unsatisfying. The technique works; the color theory is the obstacle. Not great with color theory and unsure how to impart meaningful color.
Story
We did a subtractive workshop where I stated my fear was starting with a completely square block of clay—and that's where Ray came from. The blank block offered nothing—no history, no voice, no partner. I had to generate alone. As the clay dried out it became more useful to me and my tools. I could peel off little squiggly pieces with a wire loop. I took all the squiggles and pressed them into a ball. It ended up looking like the head of a pit bull. In a weird way the pitty is an inverse of Ray.
Dimensions
~7 inches square, 3 inches thick
Status
Kiln fired but unfinished. Next step undecided.
Materials
clay Soft, workableclaystudio
Techniques
Wire Loop clay
Embodies
autonomyThe quality of self-governance, of originating from within rather than being imposed from without.
Enacts
subtractive process Removal of what isn't yours until what's left is true. Each cut commits. The form emerges from accumulated decisions.
creation as counter-practice Making instead of consuming. Evidence that you still have agency. Every cut a vote for yourself.
