Wrenn Pottery, Meadows of Dan, VA
Artist Statement – Wendy W. Werstlein
Our environment has a dramatic impact on the ease with which we connect with others and ourselves. For me, creating functional ceramics is a visceral way of creating a unique environment where simplicity and truth merge. In a fast paced culture that is removed from nature, it is through the creation and use of handmade objects that we can slow our pace and reconnect with the people and world around us. Whether you enjoy a cup of tea alone or share a meal with a friend, each experience is often enhanced by the presence of handmade objects.
With a background in science education, I have cultivated a love for helping other individuals explore the world around them while also encouraging scientific inquiry. As a potter, I am learning how the clay and the fire add voice to my work – a tonal integration of spirit and intention. Understanding the interplay between the pragmatism of producing well-made objects and an emerging language within my work, results in reflective, humble objects. Embracing the interplay between self and pottery, I believe, is a life’s work to create pots that function beautifully and remind us of our connection to each other and the earth. I am currently an apprentice for Silvie Granatelli in Floyd, VA.
