Rosemary Molesworth

Shelburne, Ontario, Canada

Title: Horse and Rider #2

Year of Creation: 2008

Glaze: Clear inside glaze

Clay Body: Cone 6 stoneware, slips, sgraffito, stencils

Dimensions: Height 5 inches, Width 6 inches

Artist's Statement: Horse and Rider is the second in a series of vases inspired by ancient pot shapes commonly used by aboriginal groups of North and South America and utilizes basic decoration techniques of slips and stencils with sgraffito highlights. The bare clay exterior has a tactile earthy quality where the evidence of it's creation is visible. Sgraffito lines, brush strokes, the overlay of slips, stencil removal; the signs are all there for the inquisitive viewer. 3 is a magical number of religion and power and is reflected n the numbers of ears and area of decoration. I think this is a happy whimsical vase that pays homage to tradition while looking fresh and immediate.