Multiple Pinch Pots

Artist Statement

For this project we were asked to create a figure using at least five pinch pots. The subject of my creation is an octopus or squid. I used two pinch pots to create the head/body. Then, I made tiny pinch pots to use as the suckers on my octopus' tentacles. My inspiration was some general photos I had looked up as well as movies I've seen with animated characters (Finding Nemo).

I obviously used clay and a number of glazes. They included pc-59 (marron), Sm 51(dark pink), Sm 21 (royal blue), Hf-167 (orange), and Sm-63 (yellow). I used color to create a pattern and rhythm. These consisted of blues, oranges, reds, yellows. I used form and texture to create movement and an emphasis on the almost scale-like look of the octopus’ body/head.

There isn’t a whole lot of meaning behind this piece besides the fact that I thought an octopus would be fun to create. This relates to my life as my dad is a lobsterman and has seen many aquatic animals including huge squid/octopuses. I’m proudest of the overall form, the cool texture of the octopus’ head, and how the colors came out. I struggled with the tentacles. They often cracked, broke, or detached from the octopus itself. It was hard applying the suckers as well and making the tentacles curve in the way I wanted them to. I overcame these by playing with them and eventually figuring out how they want to be maneuvered. If I could change something I’d probably make the whole thing look a bit more clean (if that makes sense). It doesn’t look sloppy however I think I could’ve applied the glazes better or smoothed out the actual clay more.