POTTERS
GUILD
of BRITISH
COLUMBIA
——

1459 Cartwright Street
Granville Island
Vancouver BC Voll $R7
Fax: (G04) 669-3027
Tel: (604) 669-5045

February 2000 Volume 36 Number 2

RACHELLE CHINNERY

BLOSSOMING STONE
an unfurling of the heart

February 2 — March 5
Gallery of BC Ceramics

Looking at the architecture of plants undera magnifying plassis like looking
al landscape. Divide a Mower into its constitwent parts and Jook al each part
as though it were independ -
the whole; Us 15
how [ amived at my current
bady of wark. The
Phalixconopsis ama bilis-or-
chid, in particular, inspired
these: pHeces Its whole pel-
als are rounded tear shapes
with a central tapering ridge flanked by
[Wi 2eTi iy risi Tk Ee Voluminis chimes E “ach
pttal of the crctud, the intniguing, seduc-
tive architecture of its core, and the union
af the flower with the stem isa lanlsena pe
in itself. Inthe simple act of observing this
exotic stem of lowers, | feel calm, venera-
on anil penbee

ent of

Just as the orchid generates a mood, our work as potters and sculpiors also emits a certain
mood. Our work reflects aspects of ourselves that would otherwise be hidden if we didn't
create material objects that reveal traits like humour, sensuality or a penchant for detail. [f
who we are emerges in what we make, then is i! possible that making objects with certain
characteristics can change who we are? Would working with shapes that inspare calm [cad
us io peace of mind? | believe it dees. | think the push and pull of clay affects us ona deeper
level than we know. When | step
into the micnoccem of the orchid,
net itas my maxed, | ser fascumating
details of sa much more than the
flowernsell, When] work withelay
I believe the material acts as a mal
leable metaphor for ourown micm-
cosm: aur psyche = ourself, Whatl
do with my clay, | do with my own
heart and soul, This is the bedrock
of my crenlive process

Rachelle Chinmery