Sally Michener
Presenter at the Canadian Clay Symposium, March 23

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Currently I work in two ways. One is direct hand
building using moulds to piece together compo-
nents, which are then stacked to create life height
columns. I use imagery of the body inside and
out, plant ororganic forms, decorative motifs and
so on. This assemblage approach gives me many
opportunities to improvise, letting the final im-
age evolve, It is a playful process. The Puebla
made Talavera Transformed series of columns
includes “ready-mades” such as a cup, plate,
leapot, and candlestick, along with images such
as the angel, Madonna, frog, dog, and fruit. I like
constructing with small components which I piece
together to create larger works.

Fer over 10 years I have also worked wath ce-

ramic mosaic, cladding tal) bodies or geometric columns, | have collected an

extensive assortment of tile material: shards from pots by many artists, historic hits

from city dumps and the Fraser River, commercial and handmade tiles. | added glass Sally Michener Ruby Red 2001, glass tile on
tiles and mirror to the mix. One recent series is called Bare Bomes where a skeletal ‘bree! 94.0 » 260.0 x 61.0 cm

bexdy has been wrapped around the column like a stick drawing and then animated

with the tile patterns. | recently clad an 8" fibreglass fish with glass tiles anel mirror.

My work deals with the familiar, but hopefully in unexpected ways, | combine
disparate elements to arouse curiosity. I am an odd mix of inherited abilities and
propensities, experiences tncluding chance events lucky and unlucky. Any attempt
to make logical, rational, orderly work seems bizarre. Itis this eclectic, often funny
take on life, which | hope to give a visual shape.

[have been a keen student of world ceramics. often thrilled with the dynamic range
of exciting work done over the centuries, As | continue to “mature”, 1 hope that |
can continue to enjoy the wonderful ceramic work by others as well a continue
studio work af my own,

Sally Michener

Sally Michener
Dey of the Dead Footstool
MOL, 43.04%43.0% 32.00m

Sally Michencr
Talavera Trmaformed f and J 2000, 180.0 ~% 26.0 em

LO Potters Guild of British Columbia Newsletter February 2002