Neeley’s Note: I began this article September of 2014 as part of a little research project. I’m finally posting it now and will be adding to it until I find my own artifact for my home!
Buying My First Artifact
I was recently asked to write a post about how to buy pottery. Which made me realize—I’ve never really purchased pottery before! Sure, a bowl or mug or small vase here and there, but nothing substantial.
I replied, “I guess I should buy my own piece before I tell anyone else how to do it.” So, my mission for the last two weeks was to find a piece for my home. “Easy enough,” I thought.
I began immediately searching online. First, I went to Etsy, (funny, I don’t even sell my own stuff on Etsy.) I grew frustrated pretty quickly because there was such a huge selection of stuff I didn’t really like. And since I didn’t know what I wanted, I couldn’t refine my search.
I moved on to just Google searching ‘fine art pottery.’ I found a few interesting things, but nothing truly captured my attention. And even if it did, the spark would fade after taking a few looks. I spent nearly three hours researching artists and looking at pieces. I even checked out Instagram to search tags then look several artists up online. I finally found something I liked. A girl in Hawaii makes little sea urchin pots, then puts them in a cluster either in a bowl or piece of driftwood. “Alright, cool,” I thought, “where do I buy?” I checked out her website to find “available for purchase soon.” As an artist and professional procrastinator I knew “soon” meant “not-so-soon.” The search continues.
But at least after all of this research I had a much better idea of what I really wanted, or at least what I didn’t want. I didn’t want something I could easily replicate. I didn’t want an earthy-looking plain vase. I didn’t want something from a mold. I DID want something with interesting and colorful glazing that would mesh well in my home. Glazing is my weakest skill in pottery, I wanted a piece that blew my glazing out of the water.
I was able to check out three galleries where I knew there would be a selection of pottery. The first two let me down, but I knew I would be visiting a larger gallery featuring almost only ceramic art. I had built up some excitement before going to the final gallery, I knew there had to be something I would like.
As I was browsing the room, nothing stood out. When a color would pop, the form disappointed. There was mug after mug and platter after platter. I thought to myself, “this is pottery. I like pottery, but I want an artifact..”
It was sort of an ‘ah-hah’ moment. I want an artifact, not pottery. I want something that takes my breath away when I look at it. I wanted to feel something, but I was feeling nothing looking through these galleries. And these things were beautiful in their own right, but I was buying for me.
As I am writing this, I gave another scroll through Instagram. No luck—yet. But I am glad that I didn’t buy something so I could complete my assignment. It became a special process, and that is the advice I would give you.
Whatever the piece may be, make sure it speaks strongly to you.
I know my first artifact is out there waiting for me to find it. And I will, and it will be for me.
10-10-14
I continued my search for a ceramic artifact last weekend at the Nashville Art Crawl downtown. The crawl takes place every first Saturday of the month and around 15 galleries participate, (the cool ones give you free wine!)
The amount of pottery displayed was pretty low, but not pathetic. One gallery in particular held work of two artists who’s pieces caught my attention, but in a, “oh, that’s kind of neat,” way and not a, “I want that in my house.”
One lady made tiny figurines that looked like something out of a Tim Burton movie. She put a lot of animal heads on human bodies. It looked cool, but also like a nightmare I had when I was a kid.
The other ceramicist was more contemporary and I was interested in his process. His pieces were very angular forms with bright colors in the cracks and crannies of what looked like lava rock.
I didn’t really feel great when I looked at them, though. Interesting, sure, but my home is sacred to me. I won’t put something in it that makes me feel anything but at ease.
My search continues, but I do feel like progress has been made!
10-25-14
A friend sent an article from Architectural Digest last week featuring ceramicist named Paul Schnieder. His work is very eye-catching and uses a ton of lustres.
I scoured his website for something I might be interested in. He has a few buying options on his site, but they weren’t quite what I was looking for. I moved to his social media (Facebook) and found a cool style piece where he rolls glass into the sides of large vessels (sometimes made into lamps).
I applaud Schnieder’s amount of exposure. After doing a little bit of Facebook-creepin’ through his page, I noticed how many mainstream magazines he’s been featured in, Vogue being the one that stood out the most. I felt a bit of excitement that a ceramicist was getting that kind of exposure.
I’m not completely sold on an artifact yet, but I am going to keep an eye on this guy to see what he comes up with next!
3-25-15
It’s been quite a while since I’ve searched for a piece, and it’s perfect timing to dig up this post. I’m heading to Thailand next week to see some family and explore more of the most incredible country I’ve ever visited. During my last visit, I came upon so many incredible pieces of artwork. We will see if I can find my artifact there!