Ceramics 1

Niya Miller "Vase"

Earthenware and glass, 2024

My idea for this project changed while I was working on it. It started out with a larger base, different pattern, and a handle. But as I continued to work, I figured out that clay is a pain in the but to work with and eventually settled for this so I could move on.

I started by rolling out a slab of clay flat and rolling a pattern into the wet clay. I cut out a rectangle and let the clay set up for a while. I then wrpped it into the shape of a vase and cut out a circle for the bottom. Then I added a foot, spout, and attempted to add a braided handle. It was fired and I glazed it with green glaze.

There is no symbolism in this work.

If I could start this piece over, I would do it completely differently. I would pick a better shape to make it instead of a boring cylinder. I also would take better care while glazing so it would have better coverage.

This is a utilitarian piece. This was the first thing I made all semester.

Niya Miller "Mirrorball"

Clay and Glaze, 2024

My idea for this project was to make a piece of clay that looked like a disco ball, inspired by the Taylor Swift song "mirrorball".

I made this by wedging and shaping a chunk of clay into a ball. I then carved out the center to be hollow and used as a bowl. I also carved lines into the outside to make it look more like a disco ball. I fired it and glazed it with silver glaze.

This artwork symbolizes my undying love for taylor swift.

This piece was a filler for in-between bigger projects. I don't love or hate anything in particular about it. It's just kind of here.

This is a utilitarian piece.