An exploration in the playfulness stationed in the “inbetween”
My work is rooted in the discovery of something light hearted, playful, and functional. Growing up i often found myself in between cultures and This often comes out within my work. I explore spaces in functional work searching for forms that make people smile laugh or send people on a journey of curiosity. For some forms I strive to make conversation starters, for others I look for supports. But I often find myself combining elements of two cultures, colors that pop and sing, with forms that feel sharp and minimal.
I’ve developed an obsession with useable weight with visual lightness and durability that has led my work to feel like it can float in the hand when its meant to be held but feel like it won’t budge when designed for stationary use.
As I continue to strive for these design goals I look for inspiration between countless cultures and my own, in ways that bring a smile to my space as much as they do to the end user.
I hope that you will find as much laughter, joy and happiness in my work as I do, even if only for a second.
-Evan
My journey through pottery began at the age of 7. My mother received a recommendation to sign me up for an activity that forced me to sit still and contemplate a little more from my school counselor. At the time i was a rambunkshus kind with too much energy and never enough time to do all the things I wanted to do.
I began with hand building but could never look away from the wheels that were in the studio at the time and the following year I was granted my wish and signed up for a wheel class at a local clay center. Thus began my obsession; I would go every summer to as many wheel camps as was allowed and throw constantly, we had family friends who would later become my mentors and i began to pick up pots whenever I could. checking their weight.
During college I chose to set pottery down. It fell into the backdrop as I studied engineering and prepared myself for a life in the health sciences industries. But after finishing my masters and feeling creatively disconnected and fairly burnt out I dipped my toes back in the water.
The connection was instant often described as riding a bike it helped me find my love of life and center myself again and I had reignited the obsession of ceramics. I began spending every second I could in the studio, found an apprenticeship made connections within my community and eventually even a job teaching pottery to the community.
As an open love letter to the community of ceramics. Thank you, for being welcoming to someone who has no traditional art school background, thank you for being willing to expect more out of me and incite the countless weeks of curiosity and excitement. I hope that someday I will be able to pass on this gift to those who come after me!