Samantha Henneke

Seagrove, North Carolina, USA

Title: Vase

Year of Creation: 2013

Glaze: Flowing crystalline

Clay Body: Porcelain

Dimensions: Height 10 inches, Width 4 inches

Artist's Statement: The vase that I present for the 2014 Vasefinder International is inspired by the albarello, which is a type of majolica earthenware jar, originally a medicinal jar with roots in the Middle East. The verticality of this vase is advantageous for the iridescent and fluid molybdenum glazes that are applied. These crystalline glazes have plenty of room to show off their active changing qualities as they flow down this statuesque vessel. I like throwing porcelain because of its white smooth texture, and it has a brilliant color response when glazes are applied to its surface. I enjoy decorating the surface of the pottery I make, and I will often design clay forms for particular glazing techniques.

I work and maintain a full-time studio pottery with my husband Bruce Gholson in Seagrove, North Carolina. We have a full time pottery shop, Bulldog Pottery, open to the public daily. We live in a pottery community full of history and activity. There are approximately 70 pottery studios nestled in the countryside that are also open to the public. I love my life and enjoy the challenge of making a living as a studio potter.