Mugs, vases, bowls - if you’re looking for unique pottery we have it, thanks in part to our Featured Artist this month: ceramicist Peter Black. Peter has long family roots in Gloucester and a love of ceramics that started as a pre-teen. Here, he shares how function dictates form and how art and architecture from cultures around the world inspires his art.
When did you first become interested in art and working in clay?
I was raised in an environment which always respected the value of art .My father was a painter and teacher who always encouraged me to pursue creative outlets. At the age of 13, I purchased my first kiln and worked with clay while thinking about art school throughout high school. I attended the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence RI. The RISD program employed a multidisciplinary training method for all students in which students learn the fundamentals of many arts. This included areas of study as diverse as nature drawing to industrial design. I was always planning on Graphic Design as a major, I had an attachment to clay work I couldn't give up and received a BFA in Ceramics.
Your ceramic designs are so unique. What influence's do you draw on to come up with your ideas and designs?
I think the need of self expression inspires people to create all types of art works. When I see the primitive arts of the Aborigines, or the designs of the Native American artist, it moves me because of all the facets of their works. The forms ,colors, and designs employed on everyday objects make the objects so interesting to look at or use. South American pottery forms, often times erotic and pictorial, seem to inform us about their culture. This is what inspires me to try new forms and color combinations in my own work. Graphic arts and architecture from the early 20th century always amaze me.
“When I see the primitive arts of the Aborigines, or the designs of the Native American artist, it moves me because of all the facets of their works.”
The drawings of Maxwell Escher , black and white transitions, drawn in the spirit of yin and yang , make me think of forms changing shape. I try not to think about the two dimensional and three dimensional aspects of my work separately, but incorporate them equally into each piece while drawing on references and experience. These are just a few of my references I draw on to imagine and create works in clay. I believe that is never unusual for an artist to create another version of the arts that inspire them.
When you have an idea for a piece , what method do you use to process your concepts?
I currently work in several different types of clay. This allows me to choose different techniques depending on the final function or objective use of the work. The construction of the works could include the use of wheel throwing, hand building , slip casting, and combinations of all three. Clay work is very process driven. I give serious attention to each stage of the process to achieve unique , one of a kind pieces, while maintaining their intended function. The function dictates the form and the surface treatment follows both. I always try to envision people using and enjoying my work to the same degree that I enjoy making it!
“The Paint Factory, a historic building on the inner harbor , once supplied copper paint for the fishing fleet working for generations from this city. This was a family business for my ancestors. I feel a natural sense of ease living and creating work here. Having traveled to many parts of the world, I have to always remind people how lucky they are to live in such a vibrant place.”
Tell us something that people would be surprised to know about you.
When you become a resident of Gloucester, you join a population that lives by the ocean and has made their living from the sea for almost 400 years. I have come to Cape Ann since I was born to visit relatives and spent many glorious summers working and playing here all through college.
There have been many times since moving here full time almost 40 years ago that a native of Gloucester has inquired "where are you from". Well , the easy answer is New York, because that's where I was raised. They are often surprised to find out that my family goes back almost 300 years. The Paint Factory, a historic building on the inner harbor , once supplied copper paint for the fishing fleet working for generations from this city. This was a family business for my ancestors. I feel a natural sense of ease living and creating work here. Having traveled to many parts of the world, I have to always remind people how lucky they are to live in such a vibrant place.