Category: Ceramics

Bowls for sale (2020-Present)

(2024) Ongoing project, ceramic bowls of words.

 

Over the course of each year I create medium sized bowls decorated with words. I hand cut all typeface used with these bowls. These words have relationships to humanity’s current struggles, speak with the voice of an inanimate object, attempt to not be motivational or aspirational, offering a future reader a window into who humans were in the 21st century. I’m always inspired by the possible permanence that pottery possesses, a bowl could last for hundreds if not thousands of years. We continue to learn about past civilizations from dug up pieces of pottery, stone and metal. I like to imagine that these bowls of words might speak for us far off in the future. Each bowl is fired to cone 5 (mid range), is dishwasher, oven, and microwave safe. Each bowl is thrown individually so sizes vary slightly 5-6″ wide, 2-4″ tall, additionally each phrase is placed individually, so each piece is different in its own way. Looking for a larger bowl? Check out Big Bowls. I am always accepting commissions, if you would like custom words send me an email at: ezramdickinson@gmail.com

 

BIG BOWLS (2022-present)

(2022) Ongoing project, big ceramic bowls of words.

 

Big ceramic bowls of words, allows for the text to capture a larger idea or sentiment. Turning the act of reading the text on a big bowl into a physical performance of sorts, or a puzzle if you like. Words and quotes that deserve a chance at imortality, a chance to speak for humanity far off in the future. As always if you would like to commission a custom phrase, contact ezra at: ezramdickinson@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bowls of Words (2019-present)

(2019-present) Ongoing project of ceramic bowls

 

One thing that has always attracted me to pottery is the potential permanence that clay possesses. In the first stage, I threw, fired and glazed thirtythree soup bowls, decorated with one of three phrases ( I WAS BORN A WOMAN, IT IS A SERIOUS THING JUST TO BE, MASTERS WERE FEARFUL) I felt spoke of who we are as a society at this time. Inspired by ancient texts, ceramic law cones and the discovery of these artifacts in modern day. With these Bowls of Words I aim to create a document that could be discovered in the future by another civilization. 

 

 

For 2020 I threw over 100 bowls, some porcelain, some terracotta, with the three phrases ( I LOVE YOU, WE ARE ANIMALS, FREE THE FUTURE). Also see, Bowls for Sale.

 

For 2021 I chose the three phrases, SPACE ANNIHILATORS, YOU AND I ARE EARTH, and TIME IS MEMORY. Here’s a little explanation of the three phrases: SPACE ANNIHILATORS, in reference to humans, comes from Paramahansa Yogananda; YOU AND I ARE EARTH, was written on a plate discovered in the sewer of England also accompanied by the date of 1661; and TIME IS MEMORY, is the creative mantra of my good friend. Bowls for Sale

 

For 2022 the three phrases I chose were, NADIE ES ILEGAL, GIVE TAKE, and MOONAGE DAYDREAM. With each bowl I’m planting a seed that looks to grow into a future revelation about who we are at this time. Someone or something may unearth a broken piece or an intact bowl in an archaeological dig, and learn about humans of the 21st century. I also like the idea of inanimate objects having a voice, kind of beautiful I think.

I chose these words because I feel that we have a lot to learn about how to be kind humans. We have allowed artificial lines to be drawn, we give power to “leaders” who capitalize on these imaginary lines to demonize people fleeing climate catastrophe, and political upheaval. NADIE ES ILEGAL, no one is illegal. 

GIVE TAKE can be applied in so many ways in our lives. I specifically left out the more traditional & in the middle because I wanted to make plain my interest in the act of giving and taking. 

What do you think of when you imagine a MOONAGE DAYDREAM? David Bowie’s iconic title on an iconic album is just the beginning. MOONAGE DAYDREAM feels like a limitless possibility in my imagination. Bowls for Sale

 

For 2023 I added in a few new phrases, WHATEVER, QUESTION EVERYTHING, and THEY WERE LIKE GODS. I took a look back at past phrases that still feel present to me and mixed in a few new fonts. Alongside this work I also made time to explore more complicated ideas and possibilities with big bowls and the layering of text and designs. I’m thinking for 2024 I want to continue to broaden this big bowl project in two ways, collaborating with living writers to capture words that speak to our current state of humanity, and to share my own personal truths about familial relationships. I make this work from the stance of creating bowls that both serve the use of vessels and as a voice in the future. Bowls for sale.

Becia Orix (2016)

(2016) Ceramic Sculpture.

 

This piece has been quite a long time in the making. The investigation began with building a cardboard armature to provide a foundation for slabs of clay to be placed on. Upon drying I realized that even though the cardboard had been essentially tenderized, it was still to rigid for the clay in its drying process, and thus was making the clay crack. After four attempts of trying to tweak different things in the hopes of making the drying process not result in cracks of various sizes. I decided to pull the armature out after a day of drying, when I did this I was able to get the piece to dry with out cracking. Then began an unintentionally long glazing process, time and life took over and only a little bit of color could be added each week. Hand Built, low fire, underglaze with over glaze and wax resist. Approximate dimensions 14″x13″x6″.

 

Becia Orix

Bald Vase (2010)

(2010) Ceramic Sculpture.

 

Low fire, thrown, over glaze with wax resist. Approximate dimensions 13″x8″x8″. Always looking to create satisfying shapes and visuals, this vase has an almost hidden pop of vibrant yellow spiraling down its outsides. This was a gift to a friend.

 

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Ceramic Castle (2009)

(2009) handbuilt ceramic sculpture

 

Gift created for a friend’s mother. This castle was modeled after Neuschwanstein. I had not hand built anything in eight years before creating this piece. This project taught/reminded me of many things I should do differently when building a large ceramic sculpture.

 

Baba Yaga Platter (2009)

(2009) ceramic sculpture

 

This is a gift for my grandmother. Her request was for a platter that could house her yearly gingerbread house creation. With the platter, the gingerbread house is elevated and transformed into Baba Yaga’s hut. I get so much joy from creating gifts for friends and loved ones, this gift in particular was revealed as a true success when I received the photograph after the gingerbread house had been erected on top of the platter.

 

Photo Ron Hammond