Ann Ruel

Chesapeake, Virginia, USA

Title: Sewing Circle

Year of Creation: 2013

Glaze: Various slips, cream breaking rust glaze

Clay Body: Porcelain

Dimensions: Height 5 inches, Width 2.5 inches

Artist's Statement: Many decades ago women were celebrated for making things by hand. Sewing, in particular, was a skill expectedly passed down to the newest generations as a sign of bonding, self expression and of course, frugality. Unfortunately, those customs are not being practiced on a wide scale anymore and many of those skills have been lost. This vase being handmade itself and exhibiting the feminine form celebrates and yet laments that way of living. The sewing patterns displayed on the base fit perfectly on the fabric of the vase. The underglaze flashes red and black reminiscent of the mid-20th century. The cream breaking rust glaze was brushed on and purposely wiped off in certain areas. Just like the sewing skills themselves when the glaze is thickly applied the vase appears creamy white and new where the glaze is wiped thinly, the glaze appears chipped and rusted.