Pinch Pots: Lidded Jars

Artist Statement

For this project, we were instructed to create a set of two lidded jars using the pinch pot technique. I decided to create two round bowls, staying simple in the shape and design, yet spending a lot of time on creating nicely formed bowls. With each bowl, I created a matching lid.

The aim of the project was to create unity between the jars, or rather in my case bowls, either through their form or design. I wanted to keep my bowls fairly simple yet well crafted, functional but also pleasing to look at, so I decided to focus on holes and dots as the unifying and utilitarian aspect of my project. Each bowl is intended to allow air flow into them through the carved out holes, for instance for storing goods like peppers or seeds, and I wanted to carry the circular cutout shape into the design as well. Using a mix of black and blue underglaze, I painted circles of approximately the same size around the bowl to visually continue the holes in the wall of the bowl. This pattern was repeated on my second bowl as well, which has two functional holes in the lid to both lift it as well as allow air to pass in and out.

To start the process of making my bowls, I wedged some clay to ensure that there were no air bubbles throughout, and to check that the old and new clay was well mixed. I then formed a ball of clay, approximately the size of an orange, as the basis for forming my pinch pot, which I created by pinching and pulling the clay from the middle out. To make a smooth and mostly symmetrical bowl, I allowed the clay to dry to the soft leather hard stage, meaning it was still malleable yet didn't lose its shape, which allowed me to shave off uneven areas and clean up the bowl. I repeated this process with each bowl. Once they reached the leather hard stage, I was able to add the gallery rim on the insides for the lid to sit on, carve the holes in the lid and bowl, and finally mix and add my underglaze design before they were bisque fired. After they were bisque fired, I used three coats of a clear glaze and glaze fired the bowls.

Overall, I am super pleased with how these came out. I really enjoy the color combination of the deep blue and the natural color of the clay. Also, I think spending so much time ensuring the sides and insides were smooth paid off, although I wish I had spent more time to smoothen the lids.