Artist Statement
My current work is a collection of ceramic sculptures using humor and satirical narratives to challenge the viewer’s perspectives on constructions of identity and societal norms. The pieces offer a social critique of how we interpret the ills of the world, how we interact with one another, and how we see ourselves. My fascination with human behavior is cultivated in the study of figure, grounded in satirical narrative. The expressive quality of the clay is used to take dark social and personal realities and offer playful, ironic or damning commentaries. Our relationships to ourselves, nature, religion, each other, death: this is often the unpalatable stuff of life. Art allows me to slow down the barrage of information and contemplate through sculpting, a point of view, communicating, hopefully through humor, my frustrations and thoughts.New Works posted regularly to Instagram @jennifer.mccandless