Falling Ginko
Kim Brook
Porcelain
$90
5.25" x 3.75"
"At the root of my art stems the journey of reclaiming joy amidst grief. While narratives of loss vary, I aspire to manifest moments of memories and acknowledgement of a collective loss experience with functional ceramics. Cups for tea, bowls for meals, and vases for flowers invite reflection and community. My porcelain pieces are softly textured, quiet, and delicate in appearance, but strong in their use.
The path to making these pieces has many steps. First, a mason stain color is added to the porcelain clay if it is to be a color other than white. Then, porcelain clay is wheel-thrown or hand-built into forms of cups, bowls, or vases. After the pieces are trimmed and left to dry to a "leather hard" stage, I add on slip decoration. Or the clay is dried to a "bone dry" stage, then water etched (a resist process using shellac). Finally, the pieces are glazed and fired in a kiln.
When I create these pieces, I often contemplate the passing of loved ones and what someone called my "new normal". I create to rediscover hope in the new normal, strength in community, and peace in myself. Through the process, I've discovered ways to smile again, to laugh again, and to cry whenever the tears may fall. It is an honor to share my work with you. Thank you for being a part of my journey."
