Stephen Fisher

Artist Statement  (current work)

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I love geometric shapes. Their qualities of symmetry, precision, economy, and repetition create powerful visual statements for me in my ceramic work. I am interested in exploring color, especially combinations of bright and muted colors in neighboring glazes, and the interplay of the geometry of the decoration and three-dimensional shape. In doing so, I want to reimagine historical and traditional ceramic forms through the lens of bold colors and geometric shapes of abstract painting and sculpture. The goal of each of my ceramic pieces is that its presence in one’s space is significant. The user’s unique interaction with it exceeds its mere function to become an elevated experience - a celebration.

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I construct my pieces with flat slabs of clay and extruded sections. These techniques combine effectively to create hard edge, geometric shapes in my work. My pieces are fired to a mid-range stoneware temperature which is ideal for making functional and durable pieces with a diverse palette of glaze textures and color. Decorating the work is a multi-step process where shapes are created with colored slip or glaze. The whole piece is covered with another glaze, and additional glaze is brushed on top.   The glazes partially fuse together during the firing creating luminous colors and variegated textures that enhance the geometric form.