Featured Artist: Adrienne Eliades

We are pleased to introduce you to our featured artist this week, Adrienne Eliades. Adrienne is a ceramic artist and I first saw her work at an Open Studio event in Vancouver, WA. I love the colors and shapes she uses in her work….I think you will agree….they just make you smile! This is what Adrienne says about her work…

Fresh Take on a Classic

My relationship to function in my ceramic work goes well beyond mere utilitarianism. I’ve always been drawn to making useful objects that can create connection beyond their intended purpose. Each piece I create is a visual composition, balancing form, color and pattern. My inspiration for designing starts with imaging an ideal vessel for serving or containing a specific food.

Cream and sugar vessels convey the perfect pair they are meant to contain. Cookie racks with precarious configurations of extruded arcs or squiggles pair with milk bowls to reinvent snack-time. My design-focused functional tableware sets the stage for emphasizing delight in eating experiences.

When I design I always look back, back to design movements such as Mid Century and Memphis, back to iconic forms that define generations of domestic use. This research provides rich source material from which to begin.

Ceramics is one of the most ancient industries dating back thousands of years. The idea that I will be able to create something truly unique is unreasonable. However, I love the challenge of offering a fresh take on a classic. I put much thought, research, time and energy into making my work.

My hope is that even if those hours of practice and execution aren’t directly identified and appreciated by the user, the nuances of the form will enhance the user’s experience. Perhaps they will notice something simple like how comfortable the handle is, the tactile nature of the raw pigmented porcelain or the lite weight of the piece.

The pot should not only look good but feel good. Success is embodied in repeated use and when my work is the object that is reached for everyday amongst the sea of dishes in the cabinet, that’s the best.

You can find Adrienne’s work here.