About Transience: Materiality and (Im)mortality in Clay:
Speaking about her work, Stauffer says:
"I make metaphorical ceramic vessels that explore our relationship with the natural and cultural world. I honor historic forms, while providing new perspectives on age-old traditions and contemporary experiences. Using embellishment, painting, carving and other traditional pottery techniques, I add highly crafted details to the surface of the clay to both enhance the decorative aesthetic of the vessel and to communicate its meaning. Using white clay bodies allows me to reference traditional notions of refinement and elevate what might otherwise be overlooked.
As a hand-builder, I reflect on reality inspired by nature imagery and domestic icons. I also enjoy
incorporating a spirit of play into my work to provide an element of surprise and comment on the world
around us. My work is sometimes, but not always, autobiographical. It is always personal however,
exploring memory, loss, death, life, and what makes us who we are."
Speaking about her work, Stauffer says:
"I make metaphorical ceramic vessels that explore our relationship with the natural and cultural world. I honor historic forms, while providing new perspectives on age-old traditions and contemporary experiences. Using embellishment, painting, carving and other traditional pottery techniques, I add highly crafted details to the surface of the clay to both enhance the decorative aesthetic of the vessel and to communicate its meaning. Using white clay bodies allows me to reference traditional notions of refinement and elevate what might otherwise be overlooked.
As a hand-builder, I reflect on reality inspired by nature imagery and domestic icons. I also enjoy
incorporating a spirit of play into my work to provide an element of surprise and comment on the world
around us. My work is sometimes, but not always, autobiographical. It is always personal however,
exploring memory, loss, death, life, and what makes us who we are."
Barbara's Artist Talk at District Clay Center:
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About Barbara Stauffer:
Barbara grew up in the Boston area and, after a few international sojourns, moved to Washington, DC in 1989. In the District, she began taking pottery classes, first at Eastern Market Pottery and then at Hinckley Pottery. Weekly wheel-throwing classes were her zen during the first half of her more than 30-year career in exhibitions and education at the National Museum of Natural History. After a 15-year break to focus on her career and her family, Barbara rediscovered ceramics with District Clay Center during the COVID-19 pandemic and decided to pursue ceramics full time . She completed her Post-Baccalaureate Certificate of Ceramic Artisanry at UMass Dartmouth in May 2023 and enjoys teaching youth hand building classes at District Clay Center. |
