Basic Hand Building Techniques (Week 1-3)
The first of our three basic hand-building techniques is making pinch pots. Once I practiced enough and felt comfortable with my results, I created a tower out of pinch pots.
The second-hand building technique is making and constructing a vessel with coils. Coils are long rope-like clay shapes that you attach to one another layer after layer to construct a vessel. In this assignment, I constructed a vessel using the coil technique. The finished vessel is ten inches in height, has two handles, and a distinctly defined foot and rim. On its surface, I created imagery in honor of my mentor, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
The third hand-building technique covered in this course is slab construction. A slab is when you take a piece of clay and flatten it into a pancake-like shape. This can be done in three ways: 1. To do what's called throwing out a slab, which is simply stretching the clay by pulling it against a surface, like a table. 2. Using a rolling pin from your kitchen and roll the clay flat like you would a piece of dough. 3. Using a device called a slab roller. For this assignment, I made a box and lid using the second method and added surface texture/designs using a sample of textured wallcovering.
Pinch Pots: Perspective View (Greenware)
Pinch Pot Tower (Bisque Fired)
Pinch Pot Tower (Bisque Fired)
Coil Vessel: Greenware
Coil Vessel: Bisque Fired & Glazed
Coil Vessel: Glaze Fired
Slab Box: Southeast View (Bisque Fired)
Slab Box: Southwest View (Bisque Fired)
Slab Box: Northeast View (Bisque Fired)
Glazed Slab Box: Opened
Glazed Slab Box: Southwest View
Glazed Slab Box: Southeast View
Sculpting with clay
At this point in the course, we practiced using clay to make more functional work. Now that I have worked with and developed some experience and understanding of the medium, I used it to create a sculpture. More specifically, to create a pair of shoes. I molded a pair of heels to the size of my footprint to make them life-size. After firing them in the kiln, I glazed the heels with colorful patterns to express my Hispanic heritage.
Pair of Heels (Women Size 7.5)
Pair of Heels (Women Size 7.5)
Glazed Heels: Left View
Glazed Heels: Top View
Glazed Heels: Front View
Glazed Heels: Right View
Popular Culture
Popular culture has a huge impact on imagery used in art and imagery in ceramics. For my first project, I located an object from a popular movie that represents the central moral, theme, or plot device and used it as the focal point for a piece I would fabricate out of clay. The title, "Ghost Eyes," is a reference to the movie "Coraline".
For the second project, I fabricated a piece that illustrates an idiom. An idiom offers a phrase that derives its meaning from popular culture and therefore is not predictable from the usual meaning of its constituent parts. I used the phrase "그림의 떡" (The rice cake in the picture), which describes something that seems desirable but is not easily attainable or may be just an illusion.
Ghost Eyes from the movie Coraline: Greenware
Ghost Eyes from the movie Coraline: Bisque Fired & Glazed
Ghost Eyes from the movie Coraline: Glaze Fired
Idiom: Greenware
Idiom: Greenware
Idiom: Bisque Fired & Glazed
Idiom: Glaze Fired
Idiom: Glaze Fired
Personal Vision
Chicago holds architectural significance largely due to its rich history, particularly the decorative features that define the facades—or “skins”—of its buildings. Many of these facades were adorned with ceramic tiles, which became a defining element of the city’s visual identity. Inspired by this legacy, my first task was to design and fabricate a tile that reflects what I believe is meaningful about my own home.
Although I am not from China, I created a tile featuring the Chinese character for “dragon.” The dragon symbolizes strength, transformation, and the primal forces of nature. It serves as a guiding force in personal and spiritual growth, offering a deep well of symbolic meaning. As someone who has been told I have a heart of steel—shaped by the physical and mental endurance I've developed through years of practicing taekwondo—the dragon felt like a fitting emblem of my inner resilience.
My second task was to design and fabricate a drinking vessel—such as a cup, mug, or bowl—that serves as a metaphor for myself. The interior represents who I am on the inside; the exterior reflects how I present myself to the world. For this, I recreated the Pokémon Dragonite on the outside. Dragonite is a kindhearted Pokémon known for leading lost ships through storms to safety. Its impressive abilities, adaptability, and legendary status make it a cherished figure in the franchise. I identify with Dragonite’s nature—I’m adaptable when taken out of my routine or comfort zone, and although I may appear intimidating at first, I strive to be generous, compassionate, and supportive of those in need.
For my third task, I was challenged to create a wearable object out of clay that is not jewelry but must serve a functional purpose. Since I also took a fashion class this semester, I designed a set of clay buttons in honor of my childhood best friend, who is a strawberry enthusiast. These buttons are both decorative and practical, designed to be sewn onto any garment, merging personal narrative with functionality.
Tile Project: Greenware
Tile Project: Glazed
Tile Project: Glazed
Drinking Vessel: Front View (Greenware)
Drinking Vessel: Back View (Greenware)
Drinking Vessel: Top View (Greenware)
Drinking Vessel: Front View (Glazed)
Drinking Vessel: Left View (Glazed)
Drinking Vessel: Back View (Glazed)
Drinking Vessel: Right View (Glazed)
Wearable Art: Greenware
Wearable Art: Bisque Fired
Wearable Art: Glazed
Wearable Art: Glaze Fired
Leisure Projects
In my free time, I enjoy experimenting with various techniques to create unique, handcrafted objects. For example, I designed a set of spoons with floral elements at the handles to add a sense of definition and elegance. I also crafted a jewelry bowl inspired by the look of a chocolate-covered strawberry, blending functionality with playful, food-inspired design.
Floral Spoons: Bisque Fired & Glazed (Front)
Floral Spoons: Bisque Fired & Glazed (Back)
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Bowl: Bisque Fired & Glazed
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Bowl: Bisque Fired & Glazed
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Bowl: Glaze Fired
