Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Crowe.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was born into a family of artists. I always felt intimidated by their talents, so I didn’t pursue ceramics in school and really didn’t think I could be an artist. I took one class in high school and it has held fast as my favorite form of art. I started renting at a cooperative studio in my early 20’s and have continued ever since. I really love it. Working with clay, you are creating texture and form that moves- and while it moves, it evolves. The nuances of form are endless and spontaneous. It’s an art that’s all about feel – tactile and immediate – in a way that is unmatched. I love the simplicity of the medium, clay is mud. It’s elemental, dirty, strong and supple. There is an ephemeral beauty that comes out when you work with clay – the elasticity of endless shapes pushed to the limits of physics. It teaches you patience and to be elastic of mind. While the margin for error is vast – a delicate dance with moisture – clay can always go back to its original form.
Please tell us about your art.
For me, a huge part of my art is functionality. I like to create things that people use every day – to create beauty in the ordinary. My goal is to make forms with clean lines that appeal to the touch. My favorite type of form to work on involves a combination of wheel throwing and altering or hand building. Wheel throwing is gratifying, but there’s nothing like cutting into a pristine hand thrown piece. I love the sculptural risk of free form cutting. It’s a leap, but a good leap to take because destruction is always around the corner. Another reason why I love clay -something can always go wrong – but this keeps you agile and fluid, forcing you to let go easily.
Given everything that is going on in the world today, do you think the role of artists has changed? How do local, national or international events and issues affect your art?
I don’t think the role of artists has changed or should. Art will always be a lifeline for the marginal, to give voice to unheard expression, to be a beacon of truth in an increasingly complicated world. While my art does not speak specifically to our times, issues in the form of funding, greatly affect not only my art, but the role of art in society in general. On a personal level, my business partner, Ana Crowley and I have faced challenges along the way as we have been planning on opening a ceramics studio in our neighborhood. Our hope is to teach ceramics to kids and adults throughout the community, but we have yet to find an adequate space. We have been looking for a couple of years but have run into many issues. In our case, just finding affordable spaces to work factors strongly in the feasibility of our art. In a more general sense, funding for art on the national and local level, private and public, would make a huge impact on the arts.
Funding for the arts is essential, especially so the arts are accessible to all. Funding for national arts organizations, grass-roots organizations, city schools and public art is all suffering. Art is such a vital form of self /cultural expression that we need, especially in trying times. Sometimes art is the one thing you can look to for joy, beauty, laughter or consolation. People need to view more art, art should be present everywhere, in the everyday. Also, people should have access to making and experiencing art on a regular basis. Art can bring communities together and can be a transformative tool in dealing with trauma or suffering.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I typically participate in Roslindale Open Studios and Feet of Clay’s annual shows. I will be at The Boston Cheese Cellar for Roslindale Open Studios, October 21 & 22, 11am-5pm. My work is always available for commissions. Contact information and samples of my work can be seen at jennifercrowepottery.com
My work is also available at:
Monique Rancourt Artisan Gallery
289 Moody St, Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 209-0058
http://www.moniquerancourt.com/artisan-gallery.html
13Forest Gallery
167A Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 02474
781.641.333
13Forest.com
Contact Info:
- Website: jennifercrowepottery.com
- Instagram: @jycrowe23
Image Credit:
Jennifer Crowe
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