Jennifer Hoolihan

Jennifer Hoolihan at MudFire

Gallery group show Asheville In Atlanta, October 2009

Jennifer Hoolihan Artist Bio

Jennifer Hoolihan learned how to make pottery in Texas from her high school art teacher, Carl Block, and would often babysit his kids in exchange for clay. After receiving a BFA in ceramics from the University of North Texas, she went on to work at Trinity Ceramics and North Lake College as a studio technician. From Texas, she moved to Seattle and then Fort Lauderdale before settling close to her birthplace in the Appalachian Mountains. She currently lives in West Asheville and hopes to stay there for a long time. Her studio is at her house surrounded by lush gardens and a flock of chickens, both of which yield inspiration. She also works at Highwater Clays as their Ceramic Technician, conducting workshops and providing technical support. In addition, she has taught at AB Tech Community College and Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts in Asheville.

Her early influences in clay were from a diverse functional perspective and fostered a love of handmade everyday objects. She mainly produces dinnerware and enjoys how handmade dishes bring vitality to the table. Hoping from one end of the country to the other has allowed her to work across all temperature ranges, from low fire terra cotta to multi-day wood firings. Currently, she is focusing on cone 6 oxidation and exploiting the crisp palette it affords.

Jennifer Hoolihan Artist Statement

I grew up watching my grandfather work in his carpentry shop; he made everything from cat carriers to cabinets. Amazed by the variety of tools and creative process, I developed a deep appreciation for handmade objects. It wasn't until I worked with clay that I discovered what I wanted to do with my own hands. For me clay combines all the things I love, craftsmanship, design, earth and science.

While drawn to clay in all its expressive forms, function holds a special place in my heart. Nothing beats the sort of everyday luxury of having a comfy handmade coffee cup kicking around in your truck. I strive to make pots that are well crafted and easily incorporated into the users life with a softness of form and fluid line. While some of my favorite genres of pots, like Victorian and contemporary majolica, crusty wood fire and mid-century Hall china, don't appear to have anything to do with my own work, I feel their influence is shown in subtle ways.

The teachers I've had have been equally diverse, including ornate terra cotta and Leach style straightforward function. These influences have allowed me to look beyond the immediate and search for I want to contribute to the lineage of pottery. Over time, my style will change and I will explore different clays, glazes and firing techniques, but what I strive to create in terms of quality will not.