Jennifer Martin Workshop

Loosen Up...Throwing Figurative Vessels

Jen says...."If you know how to throw a cylinder and how to have fun, then you can do this."

In this two day demonstration workshop, Jennifer will share her techniques for constructing fluid and gestural forms that have clear figurative references. She will show her entire process, beginning with thrown cylinders and ending with the assembled pieces. The workshop will be a celebration of asymmetry, rhythm, movement, and life. Martin will also demonstrate a variety of forms, tips and tricks that she uses in her functional work. There will be a slideshow and discussion of influences as well.

"While the marks on the surface of the pots record the history of my hand in its creation, these marks represent an individual's experience. As I approach the clay I am interested in embracing and celebrating the marks left behind as one progresses through life."

This workshop is being held in conjunction with a solo show of Jen's work at the MudFire Gallery, August 19 - September 10, 2005. The gallery show and workshop are the culmination of six months working at MudFire as an Artist In Residence during the spring and summer.

Captions for images, i.e. the little poems, are merely this author's impressions on viewing the work.

their first meeting
intrigue and interest
caution
restraint
a close encounter

NOTE: the larger piece is 6 feet tall.

About Jennifer Martin

Jennifer D. Martin is a full-time educator and ceramic artist living in Atlanta, Georgia. After receiving a BFA from Georgia Southern University in 1997, her passion for clay led her to Georgia State University where she received a MFA in Ceramics in 2000. After completing her MFA program, she joined the Ceramics faculty of the School of Art and Design at Georgia State University in 2001 as Adjunct Instructor and continued through 2005 as a Visiting Instructor.

As a ceramic artist and educator, she enjoys sharing information and helping others along the journey to express artistic intention through clay. In addition to teaching, Jennifer built the soda kiln at GSU. Her work celebrates tradition while not being inhibited by its vast history. Using the potter's wheel as a tool and soda firing her work, she reveals the silky sensual nature of clay as reflected by the touch of her hand.

Jennifer's professional experience also includes a Visiting Instructor position at the State University of West Georgia in 2001. Her exhibition record includes several group and solo shows. She has been a guest lecturer, visiting artist, artist in residence and instructor at many different art centers and schools in the Atlanta area.

Artist Statement

My ceramic work celebrates tradition while not being inhibited by its vast history. I strive to reveal the sensual nature of clay as reflected by the touch of my hand. Using similar tools and processes to that of a traditional potter, I look not towards the ideal symmetrical vessel but instead towards asymmetry. My work often acts as a metaphor for the physical body, and I consider function secondary to fluidity and gesture in the form. While the marks on the surface of the pots record the history of my hand in its creation, these same marks represent an individual's experience. Like the rings seen in the cross-section of a tree, these marks provide a history of growth. In a similar manner I use the repetitive lines and patterns in my work to create a vocabulary able to describe gender, a specific situation, a human journey or simply one's personality make-up.

Both the scale of the work and the way the work is grouped is of utmost importance to me. I hope to elevate the ceramic vessel from simply a utilitarian object through creating different scenarios in which to view them. The way two forms reflect each other's profiles, a grid-work of cups both similar in form but completely unique when viewed together or large-scale forms created from actual body measurements provide a variety of experiences to explore the same body of work and find possible narratives. The use of soda firing is used to maintain a flesh-like aspect to the clay thus reminding us of our own physical selves. On one's physical body we know that scars and imperfections mark moments in our lives and can trigger memory of those moments. Whether or not these experiences are positive or negative I am interested in embracing and celebrating the marks left behind as one progresses through life

Jennifer Martin Resume

EDUCATION

1998-2000, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics

1993-1997, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2005-Present, MudFire Clayworks, Decatur, GA, Artist-In- Residence

2003-2005, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, Visiting Instructor in Ceramics

2001-2003, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, Adjunct Instructor in Ceramics

2001, State University of West Georgia, Carrolton, GA, Visiting Instructor in Ceramics

1998-2001, Pinckneyville Arts Center, Norcross, GA, Instructor/Artist in Residence

2000, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, Graduate Teaching Assistant

1999 – 2000, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, Graduate Lab Assistant

LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS

2005, MudFire Clayworks, Decatur, GA, Workshop presenter, “Loosen Up…Throwing Figurative Vessels”

2004, MudFire Pottery Center, Atlanta, GA, “In the House” throwing workshop

2003, 2004,2005, Hambidge Center/Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, Anagama Kiln Firing Workshop for GSU students

2003, Woodward Academy Atlanta, GA, Visiting Guest Lecturer

1998-2001, Pinkneyville Arts Center, Norcross, GA, Elementary School Outreach Program Presenter

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

1997 – Present, National Council for Education in the Ceramic Arts, Member

1998 – Present, GSU Student League of Independent Potters, Member

1994-1997, Georgia Southern University, Club Mud, Member

EXHIBITIONS

2005, Made By Hand, Meant for Use, Juried ARC Exhibitions, Berrien Springs, MI

2005, Georgia Potters Show & Sale, Invitational, The Hambidge Center, Rabun Gap, GA

2005, Clay Cup X, Southern Illinois University Museum, Carbondale, IL

2004, Jennifer D. Martin - Atmospheric Forms, Clay West Gallery, Roswell, GA

2004, High 5, Gallery I - Georgia State University , Atlanta, GA

2004, Jennifer D. Martin - New Work, McMaster Gallery, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

2003, 8 X 10 Atlanta, MudFire Gallery, Atlanta, GA

2003, Bottles and Bowls, The Saratoga Clay Company, Wilton, NY

2003, Jennifer D. Martin – Flashing Series, MudFire Gallery, Atlanta, GA

2001, NCECA Regional Student Juried Exhibition, National Council for Ceramic Arts Conference, Charlotte, NC

2000, Jennifer D. Martin - Sum of the Parts, MFA Thesis Exhibition, Gallery I - Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA

1999, Three Blind Mice, Gallery I&II - Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA

1998, Georgia State University Student Juried Show, Gallery I&II - Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA

1997, Jennifer D. Martin, BFA Solo Exit Show, Gallery - Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA