Joanne Kirkland

medium: ceramics

Click on the image to see the full version.

Out of Egypt from Miriam's Dance series 2003 Ceramics	Shawl Dance from Miriam's Dance series 2002 Ceramics	Shawl Dance (reverse) from Miriam's Dance series 2002 Ceramics
Kimono Quilting 2001 Ceramics	Jazz from Miriam's Dance series 2001 Ceramics	Jazz (detail) from Miriam's Dance series 2001 Ceramics
Yin Yang from Miriam's Dance series 2002 Ceramics	Ark 2000 Ceramics	Loon Fishing 1999 Ceramics
Prairie Jar 1999 Ceramics

Contact information
319 Koster St.
Madison, WI 53713
Phone Number: 608-257-1510
Email Address: kejoclan@yahoo.com

Artist statement
Art has always been an integral part of communication for me. With clay and glazes, I tell stories, convey beauty and reflect wishes on functional pottery or sculptural vessels. My work is mainly with wheelthrown and altered forms using wax resist glazing on high fire porcelain. Figurative and abstract imagery create a dynamic surface on some pieces, while others are quietly glazed in one or two colors.

Travels and studies in the southwestern United States and in Mexico, Japan and my own backyard have been major influences on my work and style, while historic traditions of my medium are something I constantly refer to.

The pieces in my series "Miriam's Dance" are representing dance forms from different cultures and traditions and are an attempt to bring together our universal humanness while acknowledging our unique qualities.

The vessels are created in a way that encourages the viewer to walk around the piece or rotate it to see the various parts of the dance.

I would like to continue in this work by further exploration of the themes of self-expression and unique vision in finding perspectives of individual people or ordinary characters from different cultures in my community to recognize and portray them in my art. Depicting people and stories on vessels made of clay is a very traditional and permanent artform, lasting thousands of years. The ancient pottery of the Anasazi and the Greeks continue to inspire people today with their imagery of epic characters, creatures and everyday life.

Biography
I have been a ceramic artist working since 1980. After earning a B.A. in art at Eastern Illinois in 1976 and teaching high school art for several years, I started my studio career in Illinois (near Chicago) and Washington state before putting down roots in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1984. Since then, I have been, with the help of my husband, raising three children and making art pottery which I have shown nationwide at art fairs and galleries.

My work has ended up in places as far flung as Kenya, Japan, England, Brazil and Australia. Currently I am focusing on showing and selling my work in galleries closer to home in Wisconsin.