Next Up: Spring Pop-Up Art Market April 20th 11am-5pm

Jennifer Masley

Burying Project (working title)

Ceramics and photography

WIP

Artist Statment: 

Before the pandemic my work was primarily sculptural, utilizing ceramics as a way to construct them. Inspiration for forms were widely sourced from the human figure, landscape, miscellaneous objects, and botanicals. I expressed my thoughts about the human condition through these elements and allowed them to contrast one another to emphasize an idea or feeling.

Changes to my thoughts and practice began on February 22, 2020 when my father passed away suddenly after a complicated situation around his heart. About three weeks later my university, along with most of the US, began shutting down due to Covid-19. This shutdown removed me (and all students) from studio access and an ability to fire ceramics. Trying to process all of these significant changes to my sense of normalcy has been a huge shock to my system. I feel robbed of a ‘normal’ grieving period and I have complicated feelings about higher education after completing a semester that ended with remote instruction. My goals as an artist at this moment are less focused on production or trying to continue a ceramic practice in my apartment. I’m focused now on experiencing this time as it is and trying to understand what it means for my work and other work being made now and after this point.

The photo ‘Burying Project,’ is a part of a larger time-based project currently in process. I began this project by burying the last batch of pottery I made in the studio before visiting my father in the hospital. It’s impossible for me not to consider the timing of everything and the impact that Covid-19 has on this project, my practice and the changes and emotions I am going through. I have continued to bury objects related to these events along with objects I feel that I need some time away from. The duration of this project is currently undetermined, much like the progress of this pandemic for the foreseeable future. I anticipate changes to the objects I bury and I anticipate changes to how I conceptualize this whole experience as I continue to bury things. I will eventually unbury these objects whenever I can understand and decide for the right time to do so. For now I am documenting the process of burying objects and creating a catalog of images, notes and diaristic writings to accompany this project.

Bio:

Jennifer received her BFA from Texas State University and is continuing her education as an MFA candidate at Kent State University in Ohio. She has participated in the NCECA Juried Student Annual in 2019 , Constructured Clayscapes in the San Angelo Museum of Fine Art as a part of Clay Week, and many other national exhibitions.